RACnCAL LESSONS 

in 

PARLIAMENTARY 

PROCEDURE 


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By 

M. R. PLUMMER 


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Practical Lessons In 
Parliamentary 
Procedure 


Based upon and in strict accordance 
with 

“Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised” 



^VPLUMMER 

M 


Former 


Instructor in Parliamentary Law 
Northwestern University 
Summer Schools, Chautauqua Institution 
Official Parliamentarian 
Chicago Division Illinois Teachers Federation 
Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs 
Illinois Federation Business and Professional Women’s Clubs 
Chicago and Cook County Federation of Women’s Organizations 
Chicago Women’s Club 


FOURTH EDITION 


PHYLLIS E. PLUMMER, Publisher 
Shaker Heights 
Cleveland, Ohio 










Copyright, 1921 

by 

Mary Redfield Plummer 


Copyright, 1938 
by 

Phyllis E. Plummer 
Proprietor 


15 1939 


COPYEIGIT DEPOSIl! 




R D 


0 R E W 0 


I N all gatherings where it is desired to arrive at the 
composite opinion of those present quickly, accurately 
and impartially, the discussion is conducted and the 
result attained according to rules which have been evolved 
through the long experience of deliberative bodies. These 
rules are known as Parliamentary Law. 

Parliamentary Law has been codified in accordance 
with the accepted usage of formal organizations, and the 
manuals upon it are numerous. 

It is difficult, however, to become adept in applica¬ 
tion through manuals alone, and competent teachers are 
not always available. The author of these Practical 
Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure has for thirty 
years successfully taught these rules along the present 
lines, and has received many appeals for help where it 
was impossible to give lessons personally. 

Knowing that there is an increasing call from young 
people for the knowledge which will equip them for 
group deliberation and impartial action, the author 
presents these simple and practical lessons in a form 
which she hopes will meet the need for class work and 
individual study. 

To those who aspire to KNOW and to ACT in 
accordance with authority these lessons are dedicated 
by the author. 


MARY REDFIELD PLUMMER. 



Practical Lessons 
In Parliamentary Procedure 


FIRST LESSON 


Opening 

Meeting 


Quorum 


Call to Order 


Use of the 
Gavel 

Minutes 


When the hour which was set for the opening of 
the meeting has arrived, provided a quorum is 
present, the presiding officer calls the meeting to, 
order and proceeds with “The Orders of the 
Day.” 

If no quorum has been fixed, either by resolu¬ 
tion, motion or by-law, a majority of the entire 
membership of an organization constitutes its 
quorum, and must be present before any business 
may be transacted by that organization. Because 
of the difficulty of securing so large a propor¬ 
tion of the membership, a fixed number is voted as 
a quorum. This number should be large enough 
to fix responsibility but not so large as to make 
it difficult to secure at any meeting. 

The presiding officer, if the president, is addressed 
as Mr., Mrs., or Madame President. In calling 
the meeting to order the presiding officer rises 
and, using the gavel firmly once or twice, says: 
“The meeting will be in order.” ^ 

The gavel (a small wooden mallet) is used for 
the purpose of calling attention and enforcing 
order. 

When order is had, the Chair (presiding officer), 
says: “We will now listp to the reading of the 
minutes of the last meeting”; and the recording¬ 
secretary rises from his place at the right of the 
table of the presiding officer addresses the Chair 
and the “House” (Mr., Mrs. or Madam President 
and Members), and reads the minutes of the last 
similar meeting, unless by previous order of the. 
House the minutes have been approved by the 
board of directors or a committee appointed for 
that purpose. 




6 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Correction of 
Minutes 


Introduction 
of Business 


Main Motion 


When the minutes have been read, the Chair 
(standing) states: “You have heard the minutes. 
Are there any corrections? If not, they stand 
approved as read; (pause for corrections, and if 
none are made) the minutes are approved.” 

If corrections, additions, eliminations or changes 
are made, the Chair says: “Is there objection to 
making this change in the minutes? If not, and 
there are no other corrections, the minutes are 
approved as corrected,” 

If objection be made to the correction, the cor¬ 
rection may be made only upon motion, seconded 
and carried by majority vote. 

Business is brought before the organization either 
to get the “sense of the meeting” (crystallize 
sentiment), or to bind to some course of action. 

It may be introduced by one of three methods: 

(1) By a communication which is read usually 
by the secretary. The Chair then asks what 
the^ assembly wishes to do with it, and if 
action is desired a motion embodying it must 
follow and be seconded and voted upon. 

(2) Business may be introduced also by a reso¬ 
lution. The resolution must be in writing and 
usually embodies in a condensed form the 
reasons for the desired action as well as the 
statement of the action desired. The para¬ 
graphs of the preamble are opened with the 
word “whereas” and the desired action is 
prefaced by the words “Be it resolved.” If 
action is to be taken on the resolution, how¬ 
ever, after being presented to the House, it 
must be followed by the motion—“That the 
resolution be adopted.” 

(3) By Motion. A motion is the simplest state¬ 
ment of the action desired to have the organ¬ 
ization ’ take, preceded by the words “I move.” 

A Main Motion is made for the purpose of 
bringing a matter of business before the House 
upon which action is desired. One of the funda¬ 
mental rules of parliamentary procedure is that 
but one such motion shall be before the House 
for action at one time. There may be a number 
of motions concerning this matter of business. 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


7 


Recognition 


Second 


Statement 


Debate 


Vote 


but one subject only may be considered at a time. 
This subject is introduced by a communication 
—followed by a motion—by a resolution, followed 
by a motion; or by a main motion. 

In order to address the House on any subject, 
or to ask a question of the Chair, the member 
must rise and address the presiding officer, and 
wait for recognition. The presiding officer, either 
by a nod or .by speaking the member’s name, 
indicates thaLhe or she is the one who is selected 
to present the matter. This is called “giving 
recognition,” and a member should not proceed 
until he has been “given the floor” in this manner. 
A main motion should not be preceded by “de¬ 
bate,” the member stating his motion and resuming 
his seat at once, “yields the floor.” 

The motion should then be “seconded” by a mem¬ 
ber who also desires the matter acted upon. The 
member seconding a motion may or may not rise 
and receive recognition. “I second the motion” 
is the form of seconding. 

The Chair then “states” the motion: “It is 
moved and seconded that (repeating the words 
of the motion).” If the motion is long or com¬ 
plicated, or not in good form, the Chair may ask 
the member making the motion to “put the motion 
in writing and send to the desk.” The recording 
secretary may also make this request. 

Now, for the first time, the subject as given in 
the motion is open for debate (discussion). The 
maker of the motion has the right first to the 
floor in debate. He has also the right to close 
the discussion before taking the vote. All mem¬ 
bers have the right to speak but twice to the main 
motion until all have spoken who desire, but may 
speak oftener if consent is given by the assembly. 

When debate has ceased, the Chair puts the ques¬ 
tion to vote. There are five methods of voting; 
(1) Unanimous Consent; (2) Viva voce (or aye 
and nay) ; (3) Division; (4) Ballot, and (5)'Roll 
Call. Also by mail vote if provided for in by¬ 
laws. 


8 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


(1) A vote may be taken by unanimous consent 
when it is evident that there is no desire to 
debate it and probably no division of senti¬ 
ment concerning it. The Chair then says: 
“If there is no objection, etc.” Opportunity 
must be given, however, for objection and 
if such objection is made, the vote must be 
taken by one of the other methods. If there 
is no objection, the Chair declares the matter 
carried. 

(2) The viva voce vote is the one usually used. 
The Chair (rising) states; “All those in 
favor the motion (stating it) will say ‘aye’; 
those opposed ‘no’”; and judging by the vol¬ 
ume of sound declares the motion “carried” 
or “lost” as the case may be. If the vote is 
at all close, he indicates to the House what 
his decision is to be, declaring it: “The motion 
seems to be carried (or lost)” and then, if 
there is no protest, decides the vote as above. 

(3) If the Chair is undecided as to whether the 
vote is carried or lost, if a member ques¬ 
tions his decision, or in matters which re¬ 
quire a counted vote, a “divisional” vote is 
taken. Any method whereby a counted vote 
is taken comes under this head—by the mem¬ 
bers rising and standing until counted, by the 
raising of hands, counted, or by any other 
method. The vote must always be announced 
by numbers, and the result by numbers put 
into the minutes. If members desire a counted 
vote, it is granted upon the call of “Divi¬ 
sion,” or the Chair may call for a division. 

• 

(4) The ballot vote is a secret vote. While it is 
usually confined to elections, it may, if the 
House orders, be taken upon any question 
coming up before it for a vote. It has several 
forms; by writing on a slip of paper the 
name of a candidate for whom the member 
desires to vote; by putting a cross before the 
printed or written name of a candidate, or 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


9 


by depositing a white ball (the black ball in 
this case indicating a vote against the candi¬ 
date). It may also be used by writing “yes” 
or “no” on a slip and depositing it, as is the 
case in all ballot votes, in a receptacle in such 
a manner as to insure secrecy of the nature 
of the vote cast. 

A ballot vote shall be cast by the voter him¬ 
self or by another to whom he has given the 
power of attorney, in writing, then called a 
“proxy.” A proxy must state the kind of 
meeting at which it is to be used, the date, 
the name of the club, and the name of the 
person who is to cast the vote. It must be 
signed by the member giving the proxy. No 
other person except the one whose name ap¬ 
pears in the proxy may cast the vote. 
“Instructing the Secretary to cast the ballot” 
is unparliamentary and should never be enter¬ 
tained.. 

(5) The Roll Call is a vote recorded in the min¬ 
utes. The Secretary calls the roll, and each 
member voting responds with “yes” or “no,” 
his vote being so recorded in the minutes. The 
Roll Call is ordered by the House by unani¬ 
mous consent or upon motion, seconded and 
carried by a majority vote. 

In all cases the Chair should declare the vote 
to be carried or lost. 

When a motion is carried or lost by any of 
the above methods, the subject is closed, and 
no debate, questions or remarks concerning 
it should be allowed by the Chair. If it is 
carried, it is binding upon the organization 
as long as it stands, until reconsidered or 
rescinded. (See Lesson III.) 


10 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


RECAPITULATION 
Main Motion 

Object: To obtain the “sense” of the organization or to secure 
binding action. 

Form of Motion: The simplest statement of the action desired, 
preceded by the words, “I move.” 

Rank: May be moved only when there is no other business 
before the House. 

Debatable: Yes, fully. 

Amendable: Yes. 

Vote: Majority. 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


11 


SECOND LESSON 


FIRST AMENDMENT 

When a motion is properly before the House (see first lesson) 
it may be debated and it may be perfected by means of amend¬ 
ments before being finally voted upon. 

A First Amendment is used to get the Main Motion in such 
form as to be acceptable to the majority of the House. 

Amendments to the Main Motion are of three kinds: 

(1) Adding something to the motion. 

(2) Striking something from the Main Motion. 

(3) Substituting. 

(a) A word for a word which is in the Main Motion 

(b) A phrase for a phrase in the Main Motion. 

(c) A sentence for a sentence which is in the Main 
Motion. 

(d) A whole and complete motion for the whole of the 
Main Motion. This last is known as a “Substitute 
Motion.” It is, however, a first amendment and is 
treated as such. 

Amendments must be “germane” to the Main Motion—that 
is, they must be on the same subject matter and sympathetic to it. 
In other words, they must seek to perfect the Main Motion. 

In order to present an amendment in the first degree, or a 
“First Amendment” as it is usually called, a member must, as 
in the case of a main motion, get recognition from the Chair and 
say: “I move to amend the motion by—(adding these words; 
striking out these words; or by substituting the following words 

for.in the main motion).” If the matter is desired to take 

the place of the whole of the Main Motion, the member says: 
“I move to substitute the following (insert) for the motion before 
the House (insert).” 

Amendments need to be seconded and “stated” in the same 
manner as main motions. 

But one First Amendment can be before the House at one 
time. After this amendment has been voted upon and carried 
or lost, another First Amendment may be offered. There may 
be as many different amendments offered as desired, but each 




12 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

must be offered, seconded and voted upon before another can be 
considered. 

An Amendment when before the House may be debated so 
far as the subject matter of the amendment is concerned. The 
rest of the Main Motion is not open for discussion until after 
action has been taken on the amendment. 

If the First Amendment is not in the shape desired, it may in 
turn be changed—perfected—before being voted upon. (See fol¬ 
lowing motion.) 

When debate upon the First Amendment has ceased, and 
there are no amendments to it pending (proposed but not voted 
upon), the Chair puts the vote as follows: “As many as are 
in favor of this amendment (repeating the amendment if there 
has been much debate so that the text of it may be lost sight of) 
say ‘Aye’; opposed ‘No’; it is carried—or lost.’’ 

If the First Amendment carries, the Chair says: “The ques¬ 
tion is now upon the Main Motion as amended’’ (repeating it as 
it reads with the carried amendment). Debate now follows if 
desired, and then, unless other First Amendments are offered, the 
Chair puts the question to vote. 

A majority vote of those who choose to vote— a. quorum 
being present—is required to carry an amendment and the motion 
as amended. 

In the case of a “substitute motion’’ the Chair first puts the 
question: “As many as are in favor of substituting (giving the 
words in the substitute motion) for the main motion, say ‘aye’; 
opposed ‘no’; it is carried (or lost), and (if carried) the ques¬ 
tion is now upon the motion as amended’’ (repeating the words 
of the motion just substituted). This may in turn be amended 
or have other motions (see later lessons) applied to it. Finally, 
the vote is taken upon the main motion as amended. Remember 
the first vote is on substituting the second motion, and the second 
vote is on adopting. 


RECAPITULATION 
First Amendment 

Object: To perfect the Main Motion. 

Form: (1) To add to the motion. 

(2) To strike from the Main Motion. 

(3) To substitute (a) a word; (b) a phrase; 
(c) a sentence; (d) a complete motion. 



Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


13 


Rank: Is in order when mere is a main motion or an amended 
motion before the House. 

Amendable: Yes. 

Debatable: Yes, limited to amendment. 

Vote: Majority. 

Effect if carried —changes main motion. 


SECOND AMENDMENT 

When the First Amendment is properly before the House, it is 
open to debate or for perfection by means of a “Second Amend¬ 
ment,” or an amendment of the “Second Degree.” 

A Second Amendment must refer otily to the First Amend¬ 
ment. If it refers to the Main Motion it should be ruled out as 
being an amendment in the first degree (first amendment), and 
must await its turn after the pending First Amendment is carried 
or lost. 

A Second Amendment may be made at any time after the 
First Amendment is made, seconded and stated by the Chair. 
It is made exactly as the Main Motion and the First Amend¬ 
ment are made, and may 

(1) Add something to the First Amendment. 

(2) Strike something from the First Amendment. 

(3) Substitute: (a) a word. 

(b) a phrase. 

(c) a sentence. 

(d) a whole amendment for the First 
Amendment. 

It may be debated so far as the merits of the Second Amend¬ 
ment and that part of the First Amendment which it seeks to 
change are concerned. The Main Motion is not now under dis¬ 
cussion. 

As many Second Amendments may be offered as desired pro¬ 
vided they are germane to the First Amendment, and are con¬ 
sidered one by one, each being accepted by a vote or rejected 
before another is proposed. 

A Second Amendment cannot be further amended—there is no 
third amendment. 

After discussion ceases, a vote is first taken on the Second 
Amendment; if that is carried the vote is on the First Amend¬ 
ment as amended; if that is carried, on the motion as amended. 
If the Second Amendment is lost, the vote is taken on the Fipt 
Amendment; if that is lost, on the original motion. A majority 
vote of those voting is required to carry. 



14 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


RECAPITULATION 
Second Amendment 

Object: To perfect the First Amendment. fadding. 
Form: I move to amend the First Amendment by striking out. 

Uubstituting. 

Rank: Is in order when a First Amendment is before the House. 
Debatable: Limited to Second Amendment. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Majority. 

Effect if carried: Changes the First Amendment. 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


15 


THIRD LESSON 


TO RE-OPEN OR TO REPEAL ACTION ONCE TAKEN 

Action once taken upon a Main or other motion is binding 
unless and until such vote is reconsidered or rescinded. No new 
motion contrary to the spirit or letter of such action may be con¬ 
sidered until the previous action has been cleared away by one of 
the following motions. 

TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE 
Object If a member feels that the vote was a mistake, or 

that the matter was not given sufficient consider¬ 
ation, he may—if he voted on the side which pre¬ 
vailed—move to reconsider the vote. 

Rank For immediate action this motion must be made 

when there is no other business before the House, 
and on the same day or the next succeeding day 
(twenty-four hours) to the one on which the ac¬ 
tion was taken which he now seeks to reopen—a 
legal holiday or a recess not being counted as a 
day. The motion to reconsider can be made, how¬ 
ever, while another motion is pending or a member 
has the floor or after adjournment has been voted 
(but not declared). The motion so made may not 
be acted upon until the pending motion has been 
disposed of but then has the “right of way.” 
Notice If a member feels that the action was hasty and 

ill-considered, but is convinced that it will be 
futile to seek to reopen at that time, he may (pro¬ 
vided he voted on the winning side) give notice 
that at the next meeting he will move to reconsider 
the vote. In giving such “notice” the member may 
interrupt any business before the House, and his 
“notice” is entered upon the Minutes. It may then 
at the next meeting be brought up or not. If the 
motion to “reconsider” is not made during the 
meeting the former action stands. While the 
“notice” lives (is still standing), no action may be 
taken under the previously carried motion. 



16 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Full The motion to Reconsider the Vote opens the 

Debate former motion to full consideration in debate un¬ 

less the motion sought to be reconsidered was 
undebatable. The motion may not be amended. 


Vote A majority vote carries the reconsideration and 

the Chair states the motion as it stood before 
the final vote was taken upon it. This reopened 
motion is now open for debate, for amendment, 
commitment, postponement or other action. 

Amendment If the motion desired to be reconsidered is an 

Reconsidered amendment to a motion which has been adopted 
or rejected, the main motion as amended must be 
reconsidered, and if this motion to reconsider 
is carried, such motion may be amended or the 
amendment rejected by vote, the vote then com¬ 
ing upon th»'- “motion as amended.” If it is 
desired to reconsider an amendment, passed, to 
a motion which is still pending, the motion is to 
“reconsider the vote on the amendment.” If this 
motion prevails, the amendment is again before 
the House for debate and action. 


Not If the motion to “Reconsider” fails, it may not be 

Renewable again renewed. 


Votes Votes on the following motions may not be re- 

May Not Be considered: To Adjourn, Take a Recess, Lay on 
Reconsidered the Table, Take from the Table, Suspend the 
Rules or Order of Business. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To enable the assembly to consider again a matter 
which has been closed by a vote. 

Form: I move to reconsider the vote upon (stating motion). 

Rank: (1) In order.for action when there is no other busi¬ 
ness before the House. Motion may interrupt for later right of way. 

(2) Must be made by one who voted on the prevailing side. 

(3) Must be made on the same day, or the next succeeding 
day to the day on which action was taken—a legal holiday or a 
recess not being counted as a day. Notice of intention may be 
made on these days, such notice entered on the minutes, and com¬ 
pleted at the next meeting under same conditions. 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


17 


Debatable: Yes, fully if motion to be considered is debatable; 
if not, reconsideration is undebatable. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Majority of those voting. 

Effect if carried: To place the former motion again before 
the House for action. 


TO RESCIND, REPEAL OR ANNUL 


Object 


Rank 


Exception 


Form 


Debate 

Vote 


If a member of an Assembly desires to wipe out 
action once taken by the House, or if he desires 
to materially change it and cannot do so by Re¬ 
consideration of Vote because of the expiration of 
the time limit, he may accomplish his purpose by 
successfully applying the following motion: “I 
move to Rescind (Repeal or Annul) our action 
upon (identifying the motion).” 

Any member of the organization may make this 
motion whether he voted for or against the mo¬ 
tion he now seeks to rescind. The motion may 
be made regardless of the time that has elapsed 
since the action was taken, provided, however, 
no action has been taken under the motion thus 
passed which may not in honor be undone. 

An election may not be rescinded or reconsidered, 
nor may any action which is in the nature of a 
contrast where the other party thereto has been 
notified of the action. The motion to Rescind may 
not be made if other business is pending. 

The Chair states it as follows: “It is’ moved and 
seconded to rescind (repeal or annul) our action 
upon (identifying the motion).” 

The motion may be debated fully—opening the 
original question in all its phases. 

If notice of intention to make this motion to 
Rescind Action is given, either in writing to each 
member or by announcement at previous meeting, 
a majority vote of those voting will wipe out the 
action and the result is as if the action had never 
been taken except so far as the record in the 
Minutes is concerned, that remaining. If the 
motion to Rescind Action is made without notice, 
the vote required is a two-thirds vote of those 
voting. 


18 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


When a matter has been Rescinded, a new motion 
upon the subject of the previous motion may be 
presented, embodying the desired change. 
Application The Motion to Rescind Action is applicable to 
Main Motions only. 

RECAPITULATION 

Object: To wipe out action once taken. 

Form: I move to Rescind (Repeal or Annul) action taken 
upon the following motion (stating it). 

Rank: (a) In order when there is no other motion before 
the House. 

(b) May be made by any member regardless of his vote on 
previous motion. 

(c) May be made regardless of the time which has elapsed 
since motion was passed, provided no action has been taken 
under it. 

Debatable: Fully, opening the whole question to discussion. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: 1. Majority of those voting when notice of intention 
is given. 

2. Two-thirds of those voting, without notice of inten¬ 
tion. 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 19 


FOURTH LESSON 


DILATORY MOTIONS 

There are three ways to delay action upon business 
presented through a main motion, with or without 
amendments pending: 

1st: By referring to a committee. 

2nd: By postponing action upon it until a future, 
specified time. 

3rd: By laying the “matter” (the main motion and 
pending amendments if any), upon the table. 

If any one of these motions prevails, no further 
consideration of the matter may be had at that time 
by the House. 


TO REFER TO A COMMITTEE 

It is obvious that an organization must delegate the details 
of much of its business to smaller divisions of its membership— 
to the board of directors, to standing committees or to commit¬ 
tees especially created to act on a specific case. The organization 
fixes policies, votes budgets for work which it, after considera¬ 
tion, decides to undertake, but usually delegates the carrying out 
of these plans to committees. 

Object The object of the motion “to commit,” or, as it 

is sometimes called, “to refer,” is to place the 
business which the organization has considered 
in the hands of a portion of its membership for 
further investigation, in order to carry out the 
details of the work, to gather information con¬ 
cerning it, and to report its recommendations 
concerning it to the organization. 

Classes There are three kinds of committees: Special, 

Standing and the Committee of the Whole. 




20 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Special 

Committee 


Standing 

Committee 


Committee 
of the Whole 


Rank 


A Special Committee is one created for one spe¬ 
cial piece of work. When it has completed the 
work assigned to it, and reported its findings, the 
committee automatically dies without further ac¬ 
tion by the body itself. 

A Standing Committee is elected or appointed for 
a definite period of time—usually a year—to take 
care of a division of work, and all matters per¬ 
taining to that work go automatically to that 
committee. It reports progress from time to 
time as ordered, makes its final report at the 
end of the period for which it was elected or 
appointed and ceases to exist with such final re¬ 
port. Standing Committees usually are created 
to take care of the business of the organization, 
such as: Membership, House, Finance, Social, 
Legislative, etc. 

A Committee of the Whole is composed of the 
entire membership of the organization present, 
taking the committee form in order to be bound 
by the rules governing committees, for specific 
reasons which will be seen later. When the 
Committee of the Whole has reached a decision, 
it is dissolved as a committee and reconvened as 
the House, and hears and accepts the report of 
the Committee of the Whole. 

The motion to refer to any one of these commit¬ 
tees may be made when a main motion is before 
the House, with or without amendments pending. 
It is the business which is referred and not a pro¬ 
posed change in the form of the statement of that 
business, therefore the motion to refer to a com¬ 
mittee cannot be applied to an amendment only. 
The motion to refer to a committee may not be 
made if there is any motion pending other than 
the main motion, with or without amendments. 
Sometimes the motion creating a committee may 
be made as a “main” motion and is treated ac¬ 
cordingly. 

The motion to refer to a Special Committee, be¬ 
ing of less importance than the other forms of 
committees, yields to either of the other motions 
on committees—Standing or the Committee of 
the Whole; and the Standing Committee yields in 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 21 


Debatable 

(Limited) 


Amendments 


Vote 


Appointment 

of 

Committees 
and Chairman 


turn to the Committee of the Whole if made 
while the motion to refer to Standing Committee 
is pending but unvoted upon. However, if the 
motion to refer to the Committee of the Whole 
fails to pass, the vote would recur to the Standing 
Committee, and if that, too, fails of passage, the 
vote would then be upon the reference to the 
Special Committee pending. 

The motion to refer to any one of these com¬ 
mittees may be debated if limited to the pending 
question—the advisability of placing in the hands 
of such committees, but does not open the merits 
of the main question or its amendments to dis¬ 
cussion. 

These motions to refer may be amended in the 
same manner as a main motion—by adding to the 
motion to refer, by striking words from it or by 
substituting words for words which compose the 
motion to refer. These amendments are subject 
to the same laws as amendments to the main mo¬ 
tion. The first amendment may be amended in 
the same manner. The votes on these amend¬ 
ments are taken in the same order, and the vote 
on the motion to commit, as amended, finally taken. 

When discussion has ceased, provided no motion 
is presented of higher rank, the vote is taken on 
the motion to refer (or commit) and a majority 
vote carries. The effect, if the motion prevails, 
is to take the consideration of the main question 
(and pending amendments) away from the House 
and place it in the hands of the committee. The 
House does not again consider it until it is re¬ 
turned by the committee in its report. 

The right to appoint committees lies with the 
House unless it has delegated such powers in its 
by-laws or by resolution or motion to the presi¬ 
dent or to the board of directors. 

If no member of the committee appointed is 
named as chairman, the first one named acts as 
the temporary chairman only. If the president 
is given the power to appoint the committee, the 
personnel of the committee should be announced 


22 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Notification 

and 

Instruction 


Organization 

of 

Committee 


at the same session in which the matter has been 
referred, unless the House gives permission to 
delay the appointment. 

The “notification and instruction” of committees 
should always be in writing by the secretary upon 
whom the organization has laid this duty. Inas¬ 
much as the minutes furnish the information 
which must be sent the chairman, many organiza¬ 
tions provide in their by-laws that “the recording 
secretary shall notify and instruct all committees.” 
The chairman of the committee is sent this noti¬ 
fication whether or not he was present at the 
meeting where the action was taken. This noti¬ 
fication should contain the following matter: 

1st: The date of the meeting when the action 
was taken. 

2nd: The exact wording of the motion or mo¬ 
tions containing the matter referred. 

3rd: The exact wording of the motion or mo¬ 
tions which contained instructions as to pro¬ 
cedure, time of report, etc. 

4th: The names of members of committees and 
their addresses. 

When the chairman has received this letter of 
notification and instruction, he should call, per¬ 
sonally, each member of the committee to a meet¬ 
ing, giving time enough so that the members may 
arrange their engagements accordingly. 

At the specified time, if there is a quorum of the 
committee present, the chairman proceeds to “or¬ 
ganize” the committee. A quorum of a commit¬ 
tee is always a majority of that committee unless 
the House has fixed, by vote, a smaller number 
for a quorum. 

The first business is to secure a permanent chair¬ 
man (if'there was none named in appointment). 
This is done upon motion, seconded and carried 
by a majority, the temporary chairman presiding. 
The next procedure is the appointment or election 
of a clerk. The clerk performs the same service 
for the committee as the recording secretary for 
the House. The clerk then reads the letter of 
appointment and instruction sent by the secretary 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 23 


Rules for 
Committees 


of the House to the chairman, and the committee 
is ready for business. 

The rules which govern a committee differ mate¬ 
rially from those prevailing in the House. They 
are as follows: 

1st: Full, free, unlimited discussion. No motion 
may be made in a committee which is in 
itself undebatable or which has for its object 
the limiting or closing of debate. Members 
may speak as many times as they secure 
recognition from the chair. 

They may speak to any phase of the sub¬ 
ject regardless of the “pending question.” 
The chairman has the same rights in de¬ 
bate as any member. 

2nd: No person who is not a member of the 
committee shall be present during the dis¬ 
cussion or vote upon the matter under con¬ 
sideration. Outsiders may be called in for 
consultation but must withdraw before a 
vote is taken. 

3rd: The minutes of a committee belong to the 
committee, since it is the result and not the 
method by which it was secured which is 
the business of the organization. 

4th: Committees may not exceed the authority 
given by the House in letter of instruction. 
The committee may not: 

(a) Amend the matter referred. 

(b) Refer it to another body or committee. 

(c) Postpone beyond the time specified* in 
letter of instruction. 

(d) Postpone indefinitely, lay on the table, 
or dispose in any manner other than 
directed. 

(e) Cut off debate. 

5th : A committee may: 

(a) Divide its work among sub-committees 
in its own membership. 

(b) Vote to report favorably upon matter 
referred or any part thereof. 

(c) Vote to .report adversely upon matter 
referred or any part thereof. 


24 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Report of 
Committees 


(d) Recommend to the House any course 
of action upon matter referred. 

(e) Amend any motion arising in its own 
committee. 

(f) Amend any such amendment. 

(g) Move to report progress and ask for 
leave to sit again. 

(h) Move to reconsider a vote providing 
this motion is made by one who did 
not vote with the minority. Requires 
two-thirds vote unless all who voted on 
prevailing side are present or have been 
given notice. 

(i) To rise (equivalent to adjournment 
sine die). 

A quorum of the committee is necessary at least 
at first meeting and at the meeting where the final 
report is submitted in its entirety. The report of 
the committee must be assented to by a majority 
of the committee. It then becomes “the report of 
the committee.” Such report is presented to the 
House by the chairman or, in his absence, by the 
member selected by the committee for that service. 
After reading the report to the House, the chair¬ 
man (or some member of the committee or the 
House) moves that it be accepted, or that it be 
adopted, or that it be approved. If the report 
contains facts only, for information, no action is 
necessary or if made form should be to “accept”; 
if the report is upon action ordered by the House, 
the term “approve” is used, but if the report con¬ 
tains recommendations, the term should be “adopt.” 
When the motion is seconded and stated by the 
Chair, the^ report is before the House for discus¬ 
sion; and,* if it contains recommendations these 
may be amended as any main motion may be 
amended. The report of a committee may be 
sent back (re-committed) to the committee for 
further consideration, with or without further in¬ 
structions; the consideration of it may be post¬ 
poned until some future time which is specified 
in the motion; or the report may be laid upon the 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


25 


Minority 

Report 


Power 
to Act 


Reports 
Written and 
Incorporated 
in Minutes 


table. If the report of the committee is favorably 
acted upon, either by accepting, approving or 
adopting it, it becomes the action of the House 
and the committee is automatically discharged. 

If there are those on the committee who dissent 
from the findings of the committee, such members 
may, if they desire, present a Minority Report. 
This report may give the reasons for their dis¬ 
sent merely, or it may present recommendations 
to the House which they desire to have adopted in 
the place of the recommendations or advice of the 
committee. 

The report of the minority is presented by one 
of those dissenting in the following manner. 
After the chairman has given the report of the 
committee and the motion has been made, sec¬ 
onded and stated to accept, approve or adopt and 
discussion is in order, the spokesman for the 
minority asks permission to present the Report 
of the Minority. The Chair asks if there is any 
objection (which is rarely offered) and the 
Minority Report is then given. If action is de¬ 
sired upon substituting it for the report of the 
committee, a motion to that effect must be made, 
seconded and stated. Action upon this is similar 
to action upon a Substitute Motion to a Main 
Motion. If the motion to substitute is carried, 
the vote is then taken upon the report of the com¬ 
mittee as amended. 

The motion to Refer to a Committee may incor¬ 
porate the statement, “with power to act,” in 
which case the House is bound by any action 
which the committee may see fit to take. 

Reports of committees should be in writing but 
may be abstracted, not containing the explanations 
and arguments, merely the findings of the com¬ 
mittee. This may be amplified in discussion, but 
the substance of the report should be given to 
the secretary and incorporated in the minutes, 
and not merely “placed on file” which means a 
grave in the waste basket sooner or later. 


26 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

RECAPITULATION 

Object: To delay action ui^n a matter until it has been 
considered, by a few, duly appointed, when it is to be reported 
back, together with the facts gathered, or with recommendations. 

Form: “I move the matter be referred to a committee,” etc., 
or “I move the matter be referred to.the (naming a Standing 
Committee)” or “I move we go into a Committee of the Whole 
for the purpose of considering the matter.” 

Rank: In order when a Main Motion, with or without amend¬ 
ments, is pending, or when Indefinite Postponement is before the 
House. May also have the rank of a Main Motion when a matter 
has already been passed and it is desired to have a committee 
carry out the details. 

Debatable: '^es, if limited to commitment. 

Amendable: Yes, in same manner as main motion. 

Vote: Majority. 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 27 


FIFTH LESSON 


COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 


A Committee of the Whole is the assembly resolved into a 
committee for the purpose of discussing freely, informally and 
without record, a question which requires careful consideration, 
and without danger of being indefinitely postponed, laid on the 
table or the debate cut off prematurely. 


Organization When the House has voted “to go into a Com- 
of ^ mittee of the Whole,” the procedure is as fol- 

Committee lows : The president appoints the chairman of the 
committee who immediately takes the chair, the 
president sitting in the body of the House. The 
chairman then requests all but voting members to 
withdraw and either appoints the clerk by unani¬ 
mous consent, or asks for a motion naming him 
which should be seconded and carried. The com¬ 
mittee is then considered organized, the matter 
referred to the committee is read by the clerk and 
the chair declares that matter open for discussion. 


Rules All rules applying to committees apply to the 

Governing Committee of the Whole. The discussion is un¬ 
limited either as to time each member may speak 
or the number of times he may speak to the same 
question or any phase of it, except he may not 
speak the second time if a member who has not 
spoken desires the floor. The Chair should, how¬ 
ever, endeavor to “recognize” members with due 
consideration as to the rights of all to be heard, 
and that all sides of the question under discussion 
may be presented. 


Minutes The clerk keeps the record of motions, points 

of order, parliamentary inquiries and the votes 
taken, and from this record the final report is 
made. The minutes are then destroyed. They are 
never incorporated in the minutes of the organi¬ 
zation itself. 



28 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Dissolve 

Committee 


Report to 
House 


Record in 
Minutes of 
House 


How to 
Limit Debate 


Some time is usually taken in discussing the 
situation fully before any motion is made looking 
to crystallizing the opinion of the committee. Such 
motion, when made, seconded and stated, may be 
amended, hut the matter submitted to the commit¬ 
tee is not subject to amendment. 

The vote by roll call, may not be ordered in a 
committee of the whole. 

When a decision has been reached through a 
majority vote of the committee, a motion to “rise” 
is in order, and upon being seconded and carried 
by a majority vote, the committee is dissolved. 

The chairman now retires to his place in the 
House, the president taking the chair. The clerk 
likewise retires and the recording secretary takes 
his place at the desk. 

The president now calls for the report of the 
Committee of the Whole and the chairman rises 
and says: “The Committee of the Whole to 
which was referred the matter (stating it exactly) 
reports, (and here follows the exact wording of 
the final motion made in the Committee of the 
Whole).” The chairman then “moves the adop¬ 
tion of the report.” This, being seconded, is voted 
upon by the assembly. Obviously this motion is 
always carried, since the voters are the same who 
voted for it in the Committee of the Whole. 

The recording secretary, then, has upon the min¬ 
utes of the organization the motion embodying 
the matter referred, the motion that it was so 
referred, the appointment of the chairman of the 
committee by the president. No further matter 
is recorded by the recording secretary until the 
president • asks for the report of the committee 
when the matter reported is recorded in the min¬ 
utes, etc. 

While it is true that the Committee of the Whole 
may not limit debate nor fix a time limit for the 
debate of each member, the House may do so 
by instructing the committee to this effect before 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 29 


the commitment. The committee is then bound 
by this order. 

Note: In small organizations instead of going 
into a Committee of the Whole it is usual to 
“consider the question informally.” The effect 
of which is to open the main question and any 
amendments only to free debate. All votes are 
formal and when the main motion is disposed of 
the “informal discussion ceases.” 


RECAPITULATION 

To Go Into a Committee of the Whole 

Object: (a) To secure full, free, unlimited discussion of a 
matter without danger of being indefinitely postponed, definitely 
postponed, laid upon the table, or of having the discussion limited 
in any way or amended. (b) To exclude outsiders (guests, 
reporters, etc.), (c) To exclude from the minutes of the organ¬ 
ization matters of delicacy. 

Form: “I move that we go into a Committee of the Whole 
for the purpose of discussing this matter.” 

Rank: In order when a Main Motion, with or without amend¬ 
ments is pending; also when a motion for either a Special or a 
Standing Committee is pending—one or both. 

Debatable: Yes, limited to the motion to commit. 

Amendable: Yes. 

Vote: Majority. 



30 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


SIXTH LESSON 


TO POSTPONE ACTION TO A DEFINITE TIME 


Rank 


Object 


Form of 
Motion 


Amendments 


When a “main motion” is before the House 
(moved, seconded and stated), action upon it may 
be deferred until another time if the majority 
desire. Action upon the Main Motion and adher¬ 
ing amendments, if any, may also be so deferred, 
and even when one or all of the motions looking 
to the referring of the “matter” to a committee 
are “pending” (moved, seconded, stated but not 
yet voted upon), this motion “To postpone until 
(stating the time)” may be made; and if so 
moved, seconded, stated and carried, removes 
from the consideration of the organization the 
“matter” until the time arrives to which it was 
postponed. 

This motion is made for the purpose of putting 
off action, because of lack of time for proper con¬ 
sideration, for a larger attendance of members, 
for the opportunity to members to think over 
the matter or inform themselves upon it, or for 
other obvious reasons. 

A member rises, receives “recognition” from the 
Chair, and moves “That the matter be postponed 
until (stated time).” After being seconded and 
stated by the Chair, the discussion is limited to 
the advisability of so postponing it—debate upon 
the main motion, amendments or motion to com¬ 
mit (if any are before the House) not being in 
order. 'W'^e call this “limited debate,” being limited 
to the “pending” question only. 

If the time mentioned in the motion is not deemed 
suitable or desirable, a member may move to 
amend the motion in exactly the same manner 
as an amendment to a main motion is made, or 
an amendment to the motion “to Commit.” The 
same rules which govern these amendments gov¬ 
ern all amendments to any’motion. 



Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


31 


Vote 


Special 

Order 


Limit of 
Time of 
Postpone¬ 
ment 


If the time specified in the action “To postpone 
Definitely” is to a “day” but not any specific hour 
of that day, the vote required to carry is but a 
majority. If an hour is named, the matter so 
postponed without specifying that it be a “special 
order” requires but a majority vote. If specified 
that the matter be made a “special order” a two- 
thirds vote is required. 

A “Special Order” if made in this manner re¬ 
quires that this matter must be brought up at the 
hour specified, all business—either parliamentary 
or in the nature of an address or program—being 
set aside for the “matter” set by the special order 
for that time. It may then, however, be further 
postponed by majority vote. 

“Matter” may not be postponed to a later date 
than the next similar meeting and comes up under 
“unfinished business.” 

When the time arrives to which the matter is 
postponed, if it is desired by the House, it may 
be still further postponed, but not later than the 
next similar meeting. In this manner it may be 
“kept alive” for some time. If matter is postponed 
and is not taken up at time specified, and either 
disposed of or further postponed, it “dies” and 
may not again be taken up except as “new” mat¬ 
ter—that is, presented as a motion under “new 
business.” 


RECAPITULATION 
Definite Postponement 

Object: To delay action upon a matter until some definite 
future time when it comes up as “unfinished business.” 

Form: “I move that the matter be postponed until—(Stating 
the time).” 

Rank: In order when a Main Motion, with or without amend¬ 
ments, is pending; also in order if a motion to Refer to a Com¬ 
mittee, with or without, amendments, is before the House. 

Debatable: Yes, limited debate. 

Amendable: Yes. 

Vote: Majority if to a day or to an hour specified of a day. 
If made a “special order,” a two-thirds vote. 

Effect: If carried is to remove from consideration by the 
House until the time specified in the motion. 



32 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


TO LAY THE MATTER UPON THE TABLE 


Object 


When 

Wrongly 

Applied 


Rank 


Vote 

Not 

Debatable 


It is sometimes necessary to at once put aside busi¬ 
ness already before the House in order to take up 
something of more pressing importance at that 
time. This may be accomplished by applying, suc¬ 
cessfully, the motion to Lay the Matter upon the 
Table. Business thus tabled rnay be resumed by a 
motion to take it from the table which,.if prevail¬ 
ing, will bring the business again before the House 
in the same condition as before being tabled (see 
Lesson 11). 

It is, however, often used as a motion to “kill” 
the business without a direct vote upon it and 
without intention of taking it up again. It “dies” 
and cannot be again considered unless brought in 
as “new” matter—that is, proposed as a main 
motion without reference to its having been con¬ 
sidered before, if not taken from the table during 
the session at which it was tabled or the next 
similar session which must occur within three 
months. 

The motion To Lay the Matter upon the Table 
may be applied to the Main Motion with or with¬ 
out amendments pending, even if there be at the 
time the motions to Refer to a Committee or a 
motion to Postpone to a Definite Time. It is the 
“matter” which is laid upon the table and if the 
motion prevails it carries with it all motions 
which have, been applied to the main motion. 
An amendment or any of the motions applied 
to a Main Motion may not be tabled by them¬ 
selves—it applies to the Main Motion and thus 
carries with it these subsidiary motions. It may 
also be applied to Questions of Personal or Gen¬ 
eral Privilege (see Lesson 8) to an Appeal from 
the Decision of the Chair (see Lesson 9) to the 
motion* To Reconsider (see Lesson 3), To Post¬ 
pone Indefinitely (see Lesson 7), To Ratify, To 
Reconsider the Vote and To Rescind Action (see 
Lesson 3). 

The motion To Lay upon the Table requires a 
majority only of those voting. 

Inasmuch as the object of this motion is to enable 
the House to lay aside the business then before 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 33 

the House instantly, the motion is not debatable. 
It is not amendable. If carried, the matter drops 
out of sight until such time as it may be taken 
from the table by vote of the Assembly. 

It may not be reconsidered. 


RECAPITULATION 
To Lay Upon the Table 

Object: To enable the House to put aside a matter instantly 
with the possibility of taking it up again later. Through usage, 
to “kill” the matter before the House by laying aside with the 
intention never to take up again. 

Form: “I move the matter be laid upon the table.” 

Rank: In order when a Main Motion, with or without amend¬ 
ments, with or without the motion to Refer to Committee or 
Postpone to a Definite Time pending, also when the motions To 
Reconsider, To Ratify, To Rescind Action, Appeal from Decision 
of the Chair, Privileged Motions or Indefinite Postponements are 
before the House. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Majority. 

Effect: If carried suppresses, for the time being, the motion 
to which it is applied. It may not be reconsidered. 



34 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


SEVENTH LESSON 


Declinatory Motions 

When business is presented to an organization in 
the form of a motion, a resolution or a communication, 
it is sometimes desired to suppress it without allowing 
a direct vote upon the merits of the question itself. 
This may be done by successfully applying one of the 
following motions: 

(1) Objection to the Consideration of the Question. 

(2) Indefinite Postponement. 


(1) OBJECTION TO THE CONSIDERATION OF THE 
QUESTION 


Object 


Rank 


Chair May 
Raise Ques¬ 
tion of 

Consideration 


The purpose of the Objection is not only to de¬ 
feat favorable action upon a matter of business 
presented, but to prevent also its consideration 
by means of discussion or by means of amend¬ 
ments, commitment, postponement, or other meth¬ 
ods of disposition. 

In the light of the above object, it is obvious that 
the Objection must be made before any discus¬ 
sion or other motion is proposed, and therefore 
the Objection, because of the necessity for haste, 
is relieved of the usual formalities of presenta¬ 
tion, It must be made immediately after the sub¬ 
ject is presented and therefore the member object¬ 
ing does not need to get recognition from the 
Chair in order to enter his objection. The main 
motion or resolution may even be objected to be¬ 
fore it is seconded and stated. 

The Objection to Consideration does not need to 
be seconded. In fact, the Chair himself may 
present the question of consideration without its 
being made from the floor. 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 35 


Form If made by a member he says: “Mr. (or Madam) 

Chairman, I object to the -Consideration of this 
Question.” The Chair, without waiting for a 
second, says: “An Objection has been made to 
the consideration of this question. Shall the 
question be considered?” 


Undebatable The vote is taken immediately, without debate 
Rank or permitting any other motion to be made (ex¬ 

cept the motions to Lay Upon the Table, To Take 
a Recess, Question of Privilege, the Motion to 
Adjourn and the motion to Fix Time and Place 
to which to Adjourn (when necessary). 


Two-thirds To sustain the Objection, a two-third vote is re- 
Negative Vote quired, therefore the Chair takes a divisional 
to Suppress (counted) vote upon it, stating the affirmative 
first: “All in favor of considering this question 

rise; those opposed to the consideration, rise; - 

for, - against; the motion is carried (if 

more than one-third of the whole vote is affirma¬ 
tive) and the question will be considered.” Or: 
“The motion is lost (if two-thirds or more of the 
vote is negative) and the question will not be 
considered.” It takes a two-thirds or more NEG¬ 
ATIVE VOTE to keep out of consideration. 

A negative but not an affirmative vote may be re¬ 
considered. 


Chair May If the Chair “raises the question of considera- 

Raise Ques- tion” he should say (immediately after stating 

don of the main motion) : “Shall this question be con- 

Consideration sidered; all in favor of considering the question 
rise, etc.” 


Effect The effect of losing is to “kill” the business thus 

objected to, without one word of debate. It may 
not then be brought up again during that session 
and if presented at a later session must come in 
as “new business,” as if never presented before. 
The effect of “carrying” (by more than one-third 
the vote) is to open the question to discussion 
and further action if desired. It does not carry 
the original motion but relieves it from “objec¬ 
tion” only. 


36 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


This can be successfully applied only where the 
business presented is obviously objectionable and 
dangerous to interests of the organization even 
to have discussed in open meeting. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To “kill” a motion, resolution or communication 
without debate. 

Form: I object to the consideration of this question. 

Rank: Must be made, if at all, immediately after the busi¬ 
ness is presented, before debate or any other motion is applied. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Two-thirds vote (negative) denies consideration and 
the business is “killed.” 


(2) INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT 

Object When a main motion has been made, seconded 

and stated, and is ready for discussion or for 
amendment, etc., it is sometimes desirable to apply 
a “test” vote before risking all upon the die of a 
final vote; or the opposition to the matter be¬ 
fore the House may have “exhausted its right to 
debate” (all having spoken twice to the main mo¬ 
tion) and desire to present further argument. If 
the motion to “Indefinitely Postpone the Matter” 
is made, therefore, each member’s right to debate 
is renewed, since this motion opens again the 
whole matter to debate. 

Rank The motion to Indefinitely Postpone must be ap¬ 

plied when but one motion is before the House, 
although the original motion may have been 
amended and other motions unsuccessfully applied 
(such as To Refer to a Committee, To Postpone 
to Definite Time, or To Lay upon the Table, etc.). 
It yields to “privileged” and incidental motions; to 
amend, to commit, to postpone definitely and to 
lay upon the table. 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 37 


Debate This motion is for the purpose of “suppressing” 

Vote the business presented without taking a direct 

vote upon it, and should be used for this object 
rather than the motion “To Lay the Matter upon 
the Table.” It permits the whole matter to be 
discussed and requires but a majority vote to 
carry. If carried, the business is “killed” for that 
session, and if it is desired to bring it again be¬ 
fore the House, it must be at another session. 
However, if carried, the motion to reconsider the 
vote upon it may be made (see Lesson 2) but not 
if lost. The motion may not be renewed if lost. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To reject the main motion without incurring the risk 
of a direct vote upon it. 

Form: “I move the matter be indefinitely postponed.” 

Rank: In order when there is but one motion before the 
House. Yields to amend, commit, postpone definitely, lay upon the 
table, all “privileged” motions, and motions closing or limiting 
debate. 

Debatable: Yes, fully—opens the main motion to debate. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Majority. 

Effect if carried: To suppress the main motion for the ses- 



38 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


EIGHTH LESSON 


PRIVILEGED MOTIONS 

Privileged Motions are such as may for the time being set 
aside the business before the House, because of some pressing 
urge, receive attention, and, v/hen settled (except the affirmative 
vote on To Adjourn), the regular business is resumed at the point 
at which it was set aside for the favored motion. 


Privileged Motions bear the same relation to the pending 
business that a “special” would bear to the regularly scheduled 
train. The latter is “sidetracked” to enable the “special” to have 
the right of way temporarily, the “regular” being switched to the 
main track again when the “special” has passed on. 


Heretofore in the lessons we have had to do with “Main” 
motions and motions which contemplated doing something with 
that main motion,—amending “it,”—“it” being the main motion; 
referring “it” to a committee,—“it” being the main motion; post¬ 
poning “it” to a day named,—“it” being the main motion; lay¬ 
ing “it” on the table; also indefinitely postponing “it” and object¬ 
ing to the consideration of “it,” rescinding the action on “it” and 
reconsidering the vote upon “it.” The Privileged Motions have 
nothing to do with “it,” but because of a pressing necessity set 
“it” aside until the important matters are decided. 


These “Privileged” motions are: 

A Call for the Orders of the Day. 

Questions of Personal and General Privilege. 

To take a Recess. 

To Adjourn. 

To Fix the Time and Place to which to Adjourn (when 
necessary. 

All “Privileged Motions” are undebatable. 






Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 39 


Object 


Form 


Vote 


CALL FOR THE ORDERS OF THE DAY 

The object of this motion is to enable the House, 
if it desires, to proceed to the regularly planned 
program for that day when extraneous matters 
have been allowed to interrupt. 

The “Orders of the Day” would be the order of 
business, as fixed by the rules, filled out by in¬ 
serting in the proper places the committees re¬ 
porting, the business unfinished at the time of 
adjournment, the business which has been by vote 
postponed until this date, and any “special orders” 
made for that day. (See Lesson V, first page, 
bottom line.) 

It sometimes occurs that the organization takes 
up some new business out of its order, or allows 
a digression in the way of an address or request 
to intervene. It is the duty of the Chair to see 
that the “Orders of the Day” are followed unless 
the House by a vote sets it aside. If the Chair, 
however, neglects or refuses to hold to the pro¬ 
gram, a member may by use of this motion recall 
the House to its regular schedule. The procedure 
is as follows: 

If no other “privileged” motion is at that time 
before the House, the member may rise and 
say: “Mr. President (or Madam President), 
I call for the orders of the day.” The member 
does not need to wait for “recognition”; he may 
interrupt a speaker or any business. His “call” 
does not need to be seconded. The Chair should 
immediately, without allowing debate, say: “A 
call has come for the orders of the day. Shall 
we proceed to the orders of the day? All in favor 
rise (a counted vote is necessary) ; those opposed 

rise; -for, -against. The motion is 

carried and we shall proceed to the orders of the 
day” or “the motion is lost and we shall proceed 
with the business now before the House.” It 
requires a two-thirds vote (of those who vote 
upon the question) to “lose” the “Call.” In other 
words, one more than onc-third may compel the 
House to keep to its regular program. If, however, 
the House votes (by two-thirds or more) to go on 




40 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

with the matter taken up out of its order, it will 
do so. When that business is concluded the House 
returns to its “orders of the day”—its regular 
program. The “Call” is neither debatable nor 
amendable. 

At a convention when the program is presented 
and voted upon by the convention affirmatively, 
it becomes the Orders of the Day and may be 
changed only by a two-thirds vote (of those 
voting). 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To enable the House to proceed with the established 
program, the General Orders or the Special Orders which are 
set for that day and hour. 

Form: “I call for the orders of the day.” 

Rank: Takes precedence of all motions except To Recon¬ 
sider, Questions of Privilege, To Adjourn, and To Fix the Time 
and Place to which to Adjourn (when privileged). Does not 
require a second and is in order when a member has the floor. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: One-third of those voting. 


A QUESTION OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE 

Form When a member desires to bring before the or¬ 

ganization a matter which effects his rights or 
privileges as such member, and which cannot be 
presented under the ordinary business rules, he 
rises to “a question of personal privilege.” The 
Chair responds: “State your question.” The mem¬ 
ber then states the nature of the matter which he 
desires to present, and if the Chair considers it of 
real importance, such as justifies the setting aside 
of the business then under consideration, he (the 
Chair) may state: “The member has the floor” 
which allows the member to present his mat¬ 
ter, or may refer the matter to the House, say¬ 
ing: “If there is no objection the member may 
present his statement." If the Chair, however. 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


41 


considers that the question of privilege is not an 
important one, he says: “The Chair does not 
deem the question one of privilege,” which re¬ 
fuses the favor. Any two members may appeal 
from this decision of the Chair. If the Chair 
decides the question not one of privilege, after the 
matter before the House is disposed of the mem¬ 
ber may make his motion as a “main” motion. 


A QUESTION OF GENERAL PRIVILEGE 

The difference between a question of General and 
Personal Privilege lies in the subject of the mat¬ 
ter being personal to the speaker or of general 
interest. If the speaker cannot be heard and the 
member desires to call attention to this fact he 
“rises to a question of General Privilege.” This 
action is of higher rank than that of the per¬ 
sonal privilege as the rights or privileges of all 
are more important than those of the individual 
member. A question of General Privilege, there¬ 
fore, takes precedence over that of Personal 
Privilege. With this exception, the remark’s on 
the latter apply to the former. 

Rank Neither of these motions may be entertained when 

the following motions are before the House: To 
take a Recess; to Adjourn, and To Fix the Time 
and Place to which to Adjourn (when necessary). 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To secure permission as a favor to do that which 
could not be claimed as a parliamentary right. 

Form: Questions of Privilege are of two kinds: Personal 
and General. “I rise to a question of personal (or general) priv¬ 
ilege,” the latter being higher in rank. (Chair) “State your 
question.” Member responds by indicating what it is he desires 
to do. The Chair rules as to whether or not it is a Question of 
Privilege, or he may ask unanimous consent of the House. 

Rank: May be presented at any time (except when other 
privileged motions are pending) ; is granted only upon the con¬ 
sent of the Chair or the House. 

Debatable: Yes, if it reaches the form of a motion, not 
Otherwise. 




42 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Amendable: Yes, if it reaches the form of a motion, not 
otherwise. 

Vote: Majority, if it reaches the form of motion. 

TO TAKE A RECESS 

The object of this motion is to dissolve tem¬ 
porarily the assembly for a given period of time. 
In legislative bodies a “recess” may t?e of days 
or weeks, but does not break the “session.” In 
most “deliberative” bodies, however, a recess is 
taken for hours or minutes only. 

If this motion is presented when there is no 
other business before the House, it is not a 
“privileged” motion but a “main” motion, and 
may be amended, the amendments may be de¬ 
bated, and a majority vote is sufficient to carry. 
If, however, business is already before the House, 
a motion and subsidiaries pending, this motion, 
if made, must come as a “privileged” motion. As 
such it sets aside temporarily the business and is 
treated in a similar manner to a main motion 
EXCEPT that it may not now be debated nor its 
amendments, if any. It may be presented at any 
time EXCEPT when the motions to Adjourn and 
to Fix Time and Place to which to Adjourn are 
pending. If the motion is carried, when the time 
arrives, stated in the motion to take a recess, the 
Chair announces that the assembly is dissolved to 

convene at-(stating the time). When the 

time so set has arrived the Chair calls the House 
to order and takes up the business at the stage 
interrupted by the temporary dissolution. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To dissolve the assembly temporarily, convening 
again at the specified time which should be the same day. 

Rank: In order at any time except when to Adjourn, or to 
Fix the Time and Place to which to Adjourn (when necessary) 
are pending. 

Debatable: Yes, if a main motion. If a privileged motion it 
is undebatable. 

Amendable: Yes, as a main motion is amendable, but if the 
motion is undebatable, the amendments are also undebatable. 

Vote: Majority. 


Object 


As a Main 
Motion 


As a 

Privileged 

Motion 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 43 


Object 


If Quorum 
is not Present 


Rank 


Unamendable 

Undebatable 

Vote 


TO ADJOURN 

The motion “To Adjourn” has for its object the 
dissolution of the session. Prevailing, no busi¬ 
ness may be transacted by the organization until 
the next regular meeting or until a special meet¬ 
ing is called in accordance with the by-laws. 

If a quorum cannot be secured, the only motions 
which may be made are the motions “To Ad¬ 
journ” and “To Fix the Time and Place to which 
to Adjourn.” 

If a quorum is “lost” during a meeting and at¬ 
tention is not called to the fact, all the business 
transacted stands. However, if the quorum is 
questioned and by count it is ascertained that a 
quorum is not present, the only motions that may 
be made are the above. 

It is sometimes said that the motion To Adjourn 
is always in order. It is with the following 
exceptions: when a member has the floor, and 
when the House is in process of taking the vote. 
After a ballot vote has been cast, but not counted, 
the motion may be entertained. 

When To Adjourn is a privileged motion (when 
other business is pending), this motion may 
neither be amended nor debated. It requires but 
a majority vote to carry. 

While this motion is not debatable, it is within 
the right of the Chair to make an explanation or 
announcement while it is pending, if in his judg¬ 
ment it is important to the assembly. 

If this motion prevails in an assembly where it 
does not close the session (an adjourned meeting 
having been provided for), when the House recon¬ 
venes business is resumed where interrupted. If 
the adjournment closes the session, business not 
completed is taken up at the next session as unfin¬ 
ished business. 

An adjournment “sine die” (without day) closes 
the session, and if there is no time set in the 
by-laws or rules for reconvening, the organization 
is permanently dissolved. 


44 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To dissolve the assembly until the next regular meet¬ 
ing or until a special meeting is called according to the by-laws or 
the accepted parliamentary authority. 

Form: “I move we adjourn.” 

Rank: May be moved at any time except when a member 
has the floor or during the taking of verification of^ a vote or 
when the motion To Fix the Time and Place to which to Ad¬ 
journ (made necessary by the impending dissolution of the 
organization or the annual meeting) is pending. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Majority. 


TO FIX THE TIME AND PLACE TO WHICH 
TO ADJOURN 


Object 


As a Main 
Motion 


As a 

Privileged 

Motion 


Form 


The object of this motion is to provide for an ad¬ 
journed meeting of the one at which this motion 
is made. Prevailing, it builds a bridge from the 
meeting to the one provided for in the motion, 
making the two meetings one and the same, and 
anything which may legally be done at the first 
may be legally done at the second. 

If this motion is made when there is no business 
before the House, it is a “main” motion only, and 
treated as such, may be amended and debated. 
If it comes, however, when other motions are 
being considered, and if the Chair deems that it 
is necessary, it is allowed as a privileged motion 
and may not be debated (neither amendments nor 
the motion itself). It may be a motion of the 
very highest privilege—allowed after the motion 

To Adjourn has been moved, seconded, carried— 
but not announced by the Chair—if it is necessary 
to “save the life” of a mass meeting or of an 
annual meeting by providing for an adjourned 
meeting. 

The form of the motion is: “I move that when 
we adjourn we adjourn to meet (stating time and 
place). 



Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


45 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To provide for an adjourned meeting of the one at 
that time in session. 

Form: “I move that when we adjourn we adjourn to meet,” 
etc. 

Rank: Lowest; in order when there is no other matter be¬ 
fore the house EXCEPT WHEN IT IS NECESSARY TO 
SAVE THE LIFE OF AN ORGANIZATION OR AN AN¬ 
NUAL MEETING in which case it may be presented even after 
the motion to adjourn has been moved, seconded, stated, voted 
upon but not as yet declared carried. 

Debatable: Yes, when not privileged, when another question is 
pending. If privileged, it is undebatable. 

Amendable: Yes, but if the motion is undebatable amend¬ 
ments also become undebatable. 

Vote: Majority. 


46 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


NINTH LESSON 


The Point of Order 

Appeal from the Decision of the Chair 


THE POINT OF ORDER 

It is the duty of the presiding officer to see that the business 
of the organization is carried on in an orderly manner and accord¬ 
ing to the rules of the body (constitution, by-laws and standing 
rules) and the rules of common parliamentary law. 

It is his duty to enforce order—such order as will enable 
business to be transacted quickly, clearly and correctly. There¬ 
fore he should not wait for members of the organization to call 
his attention to infraction of rules or decorum. 

However, if the Chair neglects his duty in this regard, either 
from ignorance, inattention or from intention, any member of 
the organization may bring the matter to his attention by ‘"Rising 
to a Point of Order’' in the following manner: 

Form The member rises and says: “I rise to a Point 

of Order” or “A Point of Order, Mr. President.” 
He does not need to have “recognition”; he may 
interrupt business then before the House. If the 
Chair docs not respond, he again states, “I rise 
to a Point of Order” and continues at intervals 
until the Chair gives his Point consideration. 

The Chair should immediately respond: “State 
your Point.” If another member has the floor 
at the time, he should at once yield it (resume 
seat until the point is decided. All business 
ceases until the decision is reached. The member 
raising the point then states his point, without 
Undebatable debating or explaining it. As an example,—“I 
rise to a point of order.” (Chair) “State your 
Point.” (Member) “The question is undebatable.” 
(Chair) “The Chair deems the point well taken.” 
The member who was debating at the time the 
point was raised, therefore, is not again given the 
floor. 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


47 


Decision 


Appeal 

Assumed 


Vote 


The Chair at once (if he is able) rules upon the 
point made. While the Point of Order is unde- 
batable, the Chair may ask the member’s reasons 
or his authority for the point made. Unless the 
Chair does ask this, however, the member should 
not presume that the Chair needs instruction, 
merely stating his point. 

The Chair then announces his decision: “The 
Chair deems the point well taken,” if he agrees; 
or “The Chair deems the point not well taken,” 
if he dissents from the member’s point. The deci¬ 
sion of the Chair closes the matter unless an 
appeal is made. 

The Point of Order is not a motion and does not 
need to be seconded, stated or voted upon. 

If the Chair is himself in doubt, he may assume 
an appeal and put the matter immediately to the 
House for its decision, saying: “The question 
is upon the decision of the Chair as made. All 
who are in favor of sustaining the decision as 
made say ‘aye’; opposed ‘no’; the motion is car¬ 
ried (or lost).” 

A majority of those voting—or a tie sustains the 
decision of the Chair. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To call the attention of the Chair to the fact that 
something-is going on which is out of order. 

Form: “I rise to a Point of Order.” 

Rank: May be made at any time—even when business is 
pending or when another member has the floor. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: No vote is taken, the decision of the Chair closing the 
matter unless or until an “appeal” is taken. 


APPEAL FROM THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR 

Object When a member dissents from a decision which 

the Chair has announced, and desires to appeal 
from the decision of the Chair to a vote of the 




48 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Form 


Debate 


Vote 


Exception 
to Rules 


House, he should rise as soon as the decision is 
announced —even though another member has the 
floor—and “appeal” as follows: “Mr. (or Madam) 
President, I appeal from the decision of the 
Chair.” The member appealing does not need to 
wait for “recognition” from the Chair. 

If the “appeal” is seconded, the Chair states it as 
follows: “An appeal has been made from the 
decision of the Chair; shall the decision of the 
Chair stand (or be sustained) ?” 

If the appeal arises upon a question which was 
debatable, the appeal is debatable; otherwise the 
members may not discuss it. In any event, the 
Chair—from his position as presiding officer, with¬ 
out leaving the chair—states briefly his reasons 
for the decision made. An appeal may not be 
debated if it arises from an undebatable ques¬ 
tion, if the matter relates .to indecorum, trans¬ 
gression of the rules of speaking or priority of 
business. The Chair may close the debate if the 
question is debatable. 

The Chair having taken the vote upon “sustain¬ 
ing the decision of the Chair,” states (if carried) : 
“The motion is carried and the decision of the 
Chair which was (repeating it) stands.” If the 
motion is lost, the Chair states: “The motion is 
lost, the decision of the Chair which was (stat¬ 
ing) is reversed.” He then corrects the procedure 
in accordance with action. A majority vote, if in 
the affirmative, or a tie vote, sustains the Chair. 

In all other cases than an appeal a tie vote is 
lost-j-here it sustains the Chair. Note this ex¬ 
ception also; that the Chair may debate the ques¬ 
tion from his official position in the Chair. 

An appeal from the decision of the Chair may be 
laid upon the table (if it does not adhere to the 
main question), such motion, being applied, hav¬ 
ing the effect to close debate; and, if carried, sus¬ 
tains the decision of the Chair without a vote 
upon it. 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


49 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To secure through a vote of the House reversal of a 
decision made by the Chair. 

Form: “I appeal from the decision of the Chair.” 

Rank: Must follow immediately the decision of the Chair. 

Debatable: Yes, if question upon which appeal arises is 
debatable. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Majority (affirmative) or tie vote sustains the decision 
of Chair 


50 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


TENTH LESSON 


MOTIONS CLOSING, LIMITING OR EXTENDING 
DEBATE 

As a general rule all motions are debatable; it is the excep¬ 
tion when otherwise, and there are very good reasons for each 
such exception. 

Each member of an organization has the right—when debate 
is allowed—to discuss each motion twice on same day but not the 
second time as long as any member who has not spoken on that 
question desires the floor, nor more than ten minutes at a time, 
without permission of the assembly, and the mover of the main 
motion and the chairman of a committee has the right to close 
debate. While this is the rule, there are times when to exercise 
this right would be to prolong unnecessarily the discussion. The 
only use for discussion is to enable the members to vote intelli¬ 
gently. It is obvious that when more than enough to carry or 
lose a motion have already made up their minds upon the subject, 
it would be a waste of time to extend the discussion. At such 
time it is possible to close or limit the debate by one of the fol¬ 
lowing motions: 

“Call for the Previous Questions”; motion “To Close Debate”; 
motion that “Debate be Closed at (stating the time) o’clock”; 
motion that “Debate upon this Motion be limited to (stating the 
time) - minutes (or hours) for each speaker.” 

There are certain “family” characteristics in these and in the 
motions to extend debate, it having been closed or limited by one 
of the above motions. These “family” characteristics are: all 
are undebatable and all require a two-thirds vote to carry; those 
which are amendable (having a time specified in them) are not 
debatable either as to the amendments or the motion itself, the 
amendments requiring but a majority vote. 


THE CALL FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTION 

This motion is the “aristocrat” of the family. It comes to 
us from the British Parliament, and while the object of the mo¬ 
tion has materially changed, the form is retained. From this fact 
arises the difficulty in the intelligent handling of the motion 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 51 


before the average organization. Since we have kept the “form” 
but have so changed the effect that they no longer correspond, 
the form should be memorized by the student as well as the 
effect, if carried. 

Object The object of this motion is to close debate upon 

the motion pending (at that time directly before 
the House to be voted upon), and this would also 
automatically prevent the making of any debata¬ 
ble motion while the Previous Question is pend¬ 
ing or after it has been “ordered” (carried). 

Form When a member desires that debate shall cease 

and the vote on the “pending” motion (the one 
at that moment before the House) be taken, he 
rises (if no one has the floor) and, receiving 
recognition, says: “Mr. (or Madam) Chairman, 
I call for (or move) the previous question.” After 
it has been seconded, the Chair states it as fol¬ 
lows: “The previous question is called (here 
specify the motions on which the ‘previous ques- 
tjon’ is ‘called’).” 

How Applied Please note that this statement in no sense cor¬ 
responds to the result desired, which is to close 
debate and force the vote at once upon the “pend¬ 
ing” question. If there is a main motion, a first 
amendment and an amendment to that amend¬ 
ment pending, the effect of the “call for the pre¬ 
vious question” would, if “ordered” (carried), be 
to close debate on the amendment to the amend¬ 
ment only, and would have no effect whatever 
upon the “previous” or the “main” motions. For 
this reason, the Chair should add to the above 
statement of the question, the following: “All 
those in favor of closing debate upon the second 
amendment rise, etc.” If the desire is to close 
deba'te upon the second amendment, the first 
amendment and the main motion, the statement 
should be so made, “all in favor of closing debate 
on the series, etc., (the main motion and both 
amendments).” The Previous Question may be 
“called” upon such other pending motions as may 
be desired. 


52 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

Undebatable As this motion is for the purpose of shutting off 

Unamendable debate, it cannot be debated; nor is any amend- 

Vote ment possible. It may be applied to any debat¬ 

able motion. Because it interferes with the fun¬ 
damental right of debate, it must be carried by 
more than the majority which would be required 
to carry or lose the question before the House. 
In other words, it requires a two-thirds vote (of 
those who vote) to “order” (carry) this Call for 
the Previous Question. If carried, the Chair so 
states and then without asking for “remarks” pro¬ 
ceeds to put the question upon the “pending” mo¬ 
tion and then upon all motions covered by the 
order for the previous question. No debatable 
motion, even if under other circumstances it 
should be of higher rank and therefore in order, 
is allowed. A motion of higher rank which is 
undebatable, however, may be entertained at this 
time. If a motion or series of motions to which 
the Previous Question has been ordered goes to 
the table but is later taken from the table at the 
same “session,” the motion or series of motions 
comes back subject to the “order for the pre¬ 
vious question” and would still be undebatable. 
The Previous Question while pending, but un¬ 
voted upon, may be laid upon the table, which 
would relieve the motions to which it was to be 
applied, and they would stand as before the Pre¬ 
vious Question was “called.” 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To close debate and force the vote immediately upon 
the pending question or such series of motions as are stated in 
the motion. 

Form: “I call (or move) the Previous Question.” 

Rank: May be applied to any debatable motion. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No, 

Vote: Two-thirds of number voting. 


TO CLOSE DEBATE 

This motion is the “American Cousin” of the Call for the 
Previous Question. It differs in “form” only, the treatment and 
effect being identical. 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure S3 


The member who desires that debate be closed and the vote 
taken, moves that debate be closed upon the amendment, or 
series, or the motion to refer to a committee;—in short, specifies 
the motion or motions to which he desires it to apply. The 
motion must be seconded, is not debatable and in all respects 
except in the form is uniform with the Previous Question. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To close debate and force the vote upon the pending 
motion, or series of motions, as desired and stated in the motion. 

Form: “I move that debate upon (stating motions) be 
closed.” 

Rank: May be applied to any debatable motion or series of 
motions. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Two-thirds. 


TO CLOSE DEBATE AT A SPECIFIED TIME 

Sometimes it is not desired to entirely cut off debate upon a 
question, but it is desired to set a time at which it shall cease 
and the vote upon the matter be taken. This motion may then 
be applied: “I move that debate upon (stating) shall close at 
(stating time).” The treatment of the motion is the same as 
the two previous except that, inasmuch as it contains a state¬ 
ment of time, that part of the motion may be amended. The 
amendments, however, as well as the motion itself, are undebat- 
able. The effect, if carried, would be to automatically close the 
debate at the time named. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To close the debate at a specified time. 

Form: “I move that debate upon (stating) be closed at 
(stating).” 

Rank: May be applied when a debatable motion is before the 
House. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: Yes. 

Vote: Two-thirds. 





Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


•54 


TO LIMIT DEBATE TO A CERTAIN TIME FOR 
EACH SPEAKER 

The object of this motion is not to limit or close the time 
for discussion on the subject, but the time which each speaker 
may consume in his debate. 

The member moves “that the time for each speaker be lim¬ 
ited to (stating).” Like the other motions of its class it cannot 
be debated, although, containing a time specified, that part of the 
motion may be amended but not debated. It may be applied at 
any time when a debatable motion is before the House and 
requires a two-thirds vote. The effect is to automatically close 
debate for each speaker when the time specified has been con¬ 
sumed. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To limit the debate to a specified time. May be ap¬ 
plied to individual debate or to a definite closing time. 

Form: “I move debate be limited to - minutes for each 

speaker.” “I move that debate upon this matter be closed at - 

o’clock.” 

Rank: May be applied to any debatable motion. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: Yes, when a time is specified but in that case 
the amendment is not debatable. 

]’ote: Two-thirds of the members voting. 


TO EXTEND DEBATE WHICH HAS BEEN 
PREVIOUSLY CLOSED BY A TWO-THIRDS 
VOTE 

In the above cases where debate has been closed at a given 
time, or the time limited for each speaker, the door so closed may 
be opened and the debate continued by the following process: 

When the time set has arrived at which the debate is to close, 
a member may move “that the time limit for debate be extended 
(stating time).” This motion is not debatable; amendable so 
far as the time is concerned; amendments not debatable; mo¬ 
tion as amended requires a two-thirds vote. If carried, the time 
is extended, but at the close of the specified time the door auto¬ 
matically closes again, debate ceasing. 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


55 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To extend the time limit on debate which has pre¬ 
viously been closed by a two-thirds vote. 

Form: “I move that the time limit on closing debate be ex¬ 
tended to (state time)”; “I move that the time limit for debate 
for (name member) be extended to (state time).” 

Rank: May be applied to any time (except when member 
has the floor) when debate has been limited, either as to single 
speech or entire time for the matter. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: Yes, but such amendment is not debatable. 

Vote: Two-thirds of those voting. 

Other motions along this line may be made and similarly 
treated. Note that amendments to motions which require a two- 
thirds vote may be carried by a majority vote but that the motion 
as amended must be carried by a two-thirds vote. 


% 


56 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


ELEVENTH LESSON 

In the previous lessons we have grouped the mo¬ 
tions according to similarity of object. There are a 
number of motions which have not fallen within these 
groups. These motions are the following: 


TO EXPUNGE FROM THE MINUTES 


Object The object of this motion is to erase from the 

records the statement of some action taken. It 
is usually made a part of the motion To Rescind 
Action, in this wise: ‘T move to rescind the 
action of (stating it) and to have the record of 
it expunged from the minutes.” If this is done, 
however, the Chair should divide the motion, tak¬ 
ing action on each motion separately. 

Except for the object of expressing strong dis¬ 
approval of the objectionable action, however, this 
motion is valueless as, according to Robert, it is 
impossible to “erase” or “blot out” from the rec¬ 
ords action when recorded. 

The form of the motion, if made, should be: “I 
move to expunge from the records (stating here 
the full text of the matter'to be expunged).” 


Affirmative 
Vote of 
Entire 
Membership 
Necessary 


The motion must be seconded and stated by the 
Chair; may be fully discussed; may be amended 
so far as restricting the matter so to be ex¬ 
punged within certain limits, and can be carried 
only by a majority vote of the entire membership 
of the body which took the original action. This 
ruling makes it practically impossible of passage 
in most organizations, since the majority of the 
entire body is rarely present at any meeting. This 
would not be the case in a board meeting where 
usually the majority of that body is present. 

If the motion carries, the matter is “expunged” 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 57 


either by “ringing” and noting in the margin “This 
matter expunged by order of the assembly,” giving 
date and size of vote, or by drawing “^hrough the 
objectionable words a line and making the above 
notation. In either case, attention is drawn to the 
matter rather than erased, and two records of the 
action have been made instead of obliterating the 
first. The action is “not parliamentary.” 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To erase from the minutes recorded action. 

Form: “I move to expunge from the records,” etc., stating 
the matter. 

Rank: Lowest; cannot be moved when any other matter is 
before the House. 

Debatable: Yes. 

Amendable: Yes, limited. 

Vote: Majority of the entire membership of body taking 
original action. 


Object 


Form 

Amendable 

Debatable 


Vote 

Effect 


TO RATIFY ACTION 

The object of the motion To Ratify Action is to 
make the action of some person'or of some other 
body the action of the organization where this 
motion is presented; to confirm action taken by 
an individual or some other body, making such 
action the action of this House. 

In stating the motion, a clear statement of the 
matter desired to be confirmed should be made 
as follows: “I move to ratify (stating action).” 
The motion is fully debatable and may be amend¬ 
ed so far as limiting the extent of the matter 
to be confirmed,—a part only being confirmed 
instead of the whole as stated in the main motion. 
A majority vote (of those voting) only is re¬ 
quired, and if carried, the action thus ratified 
becomes the action of the body confirming it as 
though in the first place it had originated there. 
Sometimes it seems necessary to the president or 
the chairman of a committee or a Board to exceed 




58 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


authority given because of the exigencies of the 
case. When the body then convenes a statement 
is made of the action taken and the reasons 

and a motion is made “to ratify the action of-, 

being as follows: -If, however, the 

House refuses to ratify, the action, as taken by 
the person or board, is not binding upon the 
House but must remain the action of individuals 
only. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To confirm action taken by an individual or another 
body, making such action the action of the House. 

Form: “I move to ratify the action of,” etc. 

Rank: Lowest; must be moved when there is no other matter 
before the House. 

Debatably: Yes, fully. 

Amendable: Yes, limited. 

Vote: Majority. 


READING OF PAPERS 

In a parliamentary sense there are two kinds of 
“papers”: those “under consideration” and those 
“not under consideration.” 

Object Papers under consideration are those motions, 

resolutions, communications or reports which are 
before the House for a vote. Members are en¬ 
titled to have them “read” as many times as 
necessary for a clear understanding of their im¬ 
port and no motion is necessary. 

Form A member rises and says: “I call for a reading 

of the matter under consideration” or “for the 
motion” or “for the resolution” etc. The request 
must be granted by the Chair. No vote is taken. 
Papers not under consideration relate to extrane¬ 
ous matter which is not directly before the House 
but which may have some bearing upon it in the 
mind of the member desiring to present it,—such 
as a lawyer’s brief upon the matter under dis¬ 
cussion, a letter from a non-member on the sub¬ 
ject, etc. 





Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 59 


Vote Such matter should never be allowed without 

unanimous consent of the House or a vote (ma¬ 
jority) upon a motion that the member be al¬ 
lowed to read the paper. The Chair asks unani¬ 
mous consent for the reading of the paper, but 
if there is “objection” it may be read only upon 
motion made, seconded and carried as above. 
Such motion is neither debatable nor amendable 
however. 


RECAPITULATION 

(A) Papers Under Consideration. 

Object: To have a rereading of the motion, resolution or 
communication under consideration. 

Form: “I call for the reading of,” etc. 

Rank: May be called for whenever desired and as many 
times as desired before the vote is decided by the Chair. It is 
not a motion and the “call” is allowed without a vote. 

(B) Papers not under Consideration. 

Object: To permit the reading of some extraneous matter, 
not directly connected with the matter before the House. 

Form: “I move the paper (stating what it is) be read by the 
secretary,” or “I move the member be allowed to read the paper.” 

Rank: May be moved when a debatable motion is before 
the House. 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Majority. 


MOTION TO RE-COMMIT 

Object A committee is not allowed to exceed the authority 

given by the House in its instructions, and it 
sometimes happens that when the committee re¬ 
ports it is found that its work has not been broad 
enough or for some other reason it is desirable 
to have its work proceed further. It is then in 
order to “Move that the matter be re-committed 
for the purpose of (stating the further work 
desired).” 




60 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Rank 


Debatable 


Amendable 

Vote 


This motion is in order at any time the motion 
to refer to a committee would be in order; that 
is, it cannot be made if there is a motion of 
higher rank pending, such as “to postpone fur¬ 
ther action upon the report until-” or if there 

is a motion to lay the report upon the table, or a 
question of privilege or any privileged question 
pending. The motion may be made, however, 
while there is a motion pending to amend the 
recommendation of the committee. In other words, 
it takes the same rank as the motion To Refer to 
a Committee. 

The motion may be debated so far as the advisa¬ 
bility of sending it back to the committee is con¬ 
cerned. 

It may be amended as to instructions, etc. 

A majority vote (of those voting) is required to 
carry, and if carried, the committee is revived 
and takes over the new work. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To refer a matter back to a committee which has 
been once considered and reported. 

Form: “I move that (stating matter) be re-referred to (stat¬ 
ing the committee).” 

Rank: In order whenever a motion to refer to a committee 
could be entertained, is higher in rank than a main motion or its 
amendments. 

Debatable: Limited to the pending motion (to re-commit). 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Majority. 


THE MOTION “TO RISE” 

This motion corresponds to the motion to “adjourn sine die” 
but refers to committees only. It is the final motion made in a 
committee when it has completed its work. It requires a majority 
vote of the committee. 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 61 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: Corresponds to the motion To Adjourn when used 
in Committee. 

Form: “I move the committee rise.” 

Rank: In order at any time when the report of the committee 
has been completed. 

Debatable: Yes. 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: Majority. 

Note: The motion to “rise, report progress and ask for leave 
to sit again” corresponds to the motion for an adjourned meeting 
before an assembly. 


TO MAKE A SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 

The object of this motion is to give it “the right 
of way” over the regular business as laid down 
in the Order of Business. If voted (by a two- 
thirds vote), it must be called up at the time 
specified in the motion, or if no time is set in the 
motion, it takes precedence over all business ex¬ 
cept the minutes, yielding (giving way), however, 
to the motion To Adjourn, or any other privileged 
motion, or to any “special order” made before 
this one. 

Having been called up by the Chair, it may, upon 
motion, be further postponed to a time given in 
the motion. It must, however, be called up at the 
time given in the motion making it a Special 
Order. 

The motion to make a special order is both 
amendable and debatable. 

If matter is postponed to a certain time, hour, or 
special place in.the program and so stated, it be¬ 
comes a special order of business for that time. 
(See lesson on Postponing Definitely.) 

RECAPITULATION 

Object: To give the “right of way” to some important order 
of business. 

Form: (a) “I move to make (stating) a special order of 
business for (stating the date or time desired).” (b) When a 
matter is postponed to a definite hour of a definite day, and stated 


Object 

Vote 

Rank 


May be 
Further 
Postponed 


Amendable 

Debatable 



' 


62 i^^TiCAL Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

that it is a special order, it is thus made a special order of business. 

Rank: May be made as a main motion or as a part of the 
motion to postpone to a definite time, in which case would have 
the rank''o^the latter motion. 

Debatable: Yes. 

Amendable: Yes. 

Vote: Two-thirds of the members voting. 

Note: If matter is made a special order of business for a 
certain day, it takes precedence of all matters but the minutes. 
If for an hour of a special day, it must be taken up at that time, 
but may then be further postponed. 


TO SUSPEND THE RULES 

The object of this motion is to set aside for the 
time a rule which interferes with some desired 
action. 

By-laws may not be “suspended” unless there is 
in the by-laws themselves a section which pro¬ 
vides for such suspension. 

In making the motion, it must be stated for what 
purpose the motion to suspend the rule is made, 
as ‘T move to suspend the rule excluding busi¬ 
ness for the purpose of introducing a resolution 
as follows (stating).” This is necessary as the 
motion to suspend is both undebatable and un- 
amendable. 

Because this motion contemplates interferencce 
with established rules, it requires a two-thirds 
vote. If carried, the business for which the rule 
was suspended is allowed, and when finished the 
rule becomes again operative. 


RECAPITULATION 

Object: To set aside for the time being a rule which inter¬ 
feres with some desired action. 

Form: “I move to suspend the rule which interferes with,” 
etc. 


Object 


By-Laws 

How 

Suspended 

Undebatable 

Unamendable 


Vote 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedi4^ 63 

Rank: In order when there is no other matter before the 
House. ^ 

Debatable: No. 

Amendable: No. ^ 

Vote: Two-thirds of those voting. 

Note: By-Laws may not be suspended unless they contain 
a provision for such suspension. 


TO TAKE FROM THE TABLE 

Object The object of this motion is to enable the House 

to resume where it left off action upon some 
matter which has been laid upon the table. 

Effect If this motion prevails, the House resumes the 

matter tabled at the point where it was tabled, 
the matter which is thus taken up coming back 
exactly in the same shape, subject to all adher¬ 
ing motions, subject to the previous question, if 
that motion had been moved and carried before 
the matter went to the table; and any member 
who had exhausted his right to debate before 
tabling is still barred from debate upon the mo¬ 
tion pending. In other words, it comes back as 
it went to the table. 

Undebatable It is the motion To Table reversed, except so far 

Unamendable as its rank is concerned. It may be made only 
when there is no other motion before the House, 
it may not be amended nor debated, and it re¬ 
quires a majority vote (of those voting) to carry. 

Rank Matter which has been laid upon the table may 

be taken from the table at any time after business 
or announcement or address or anything for which 
it was laid upon the table has been executed, upon 
the same day it was tabled, or the next similar 
meeting. It may not be renewed until some business 
has been transacted since it was lost; providing, 
however, such next meeting falls within three 
months. After that time the matter “dies,” and it 
may not again be taken up except as “new matter,” 
introduced under “new business” and treated as 
such without reference to the previous hearing. 



J 


V y 

64 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

. ' ■ j 

RECAPITULATION 

Object: To take up again a, matter which has been laid upon 
the table. 

Form: “I move to take from the table (specifying the mo¬ 
tion).” 

Rank: Lowest; may be moved when there is no other motion..- 
before the House on same;day tabled or at next similar meeting 
if occurring within three i^onths. « ■ % ■ 

Debatable: No. ^ ,/ ; ^ ^ 

Amendable: No. ' / 

Vote: Majority. / ' , 


TO WITHDRAW A MOTION 


When a member has made a motion, before a second has been ^ 
given, it belongs to him absolutely and may be withdrawn if he , 
desires. After it has been stated by the Chair, it becomes the ' 
property of the House, and may not now be withdrawn without 
its consent, either given unanimously or upon motion that the 
motion be jjrfthdrawn, seconded and carried by a majority vote. 

H the member making the motion desires to accept an amend¬ 
ment aiipresented, the same procedure is followed. U may^be 
dphe by “consent,” that being unanimous. ^ ‘ \ 

f^ 


RECAPITULATION 


OlNect: To remove without prejudice and without a vote 
upon ^it a motion which has been moved, seconded and stated by. 
the Chair. j / ' v 

Form: (a) When a member ^has made a. motion^'but it has 
notbeen stated, it may be withdrawn by* the member; when 
staffed, it may be withdrawn only by unanimous consent or ug!9h 
a motion: “I move that the motion be withdrawn;” (b) or? “I 
rnove the member be allowed to wit^idraw his motion.” 
j Rank: At any time when the rhotion referred to is before the 


House. 

' Debatable: No. • 

Amendable: No. 

Vote: (a) Unanimous consent 


(b) Majority. 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 65 


s 

TWELFTH LESSON 


. " ^ORGANIZATION 

To organize is to form into systematic relation individuals 
who desire a common purpose by concerted action. 

A public call through the press, or by notice to those believed 
to be interested, is issued for a meeting at a given time and place. 
This is called a Mass Meeting. It is temporary in character, 
^ usually limited to one or two meetings or sessions. It is for the 
purpose of forming public opiijion upon some matter, or with the 
intention of evolving a temporary or a permanent organization 
with a well-defined object. 


I 


MASS MEETING 


Those who have the matter of a Mass Meeting in charge 
should be the *ones whose interests are well established in the 
matter to be presented. These promoters—for such they are— 
should be at some pains to formulate their plans, and arrange a 
definite program. 

Unlike a club or a permanent organization, a Mass Meeting 
should be “cut and dried,” the one who is to preside carefully 
selected, the' resolutions which are to crystallize the object of .the 
meeting thoughtfully drawn and in proper form for adoption and 
for publication. Those who are to present these resolutions and 
to support them by debate should be selected and coached, and 
their names in the order in which they are to speak should be 
in the hands, of the chairman of the meeting. 

If the plan be to form a permanent organization, the name 
and the object should be considered by these promoters and those 
who are to present the necessary motions chosen and “primed.” 
The personnel of a committee which is appointed to draft con¬ 
stitution and by-laws should be settled in conference and usually 
these papers themselves are drawn, ready to be. handed to the 
Committee on Constitution and By-Laws when appointed. This 




66 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


will facilitate the work and ensure the object for which the 
organization is to be formed will be along the lines desired by 
those promoting it. 

This preliminary and self-appointed committee often concerns 
itself with the selection of suitable permanent officers as sugges¬ 
tions to a later appointed Nominating Committee. 

All this—which would be undesirable in a well established or¬ 
ganization—is right and wise in the launching of a new enterprise 
since those who are calling the Mass Meeting are those who have 
had the matters to be presented most at heart, and they alone 
are able to present the cause clearly and logically and without 
waste of time. Preparation also prevents the meeting being “run 
away with” by those unsympathetic in the audience, or by the 
purpose being misunderstood and aborted. 

When the time has arrived which was set for the meeting 
(perhaps granting a little time for the tardy), one who has signed 
the “Call” calls the meeting to order by a tap of the gavel and 
the request that “The meeting will please be in order.” He (or 
she) then calls to the chair either the person who has been 
selected as Chairman, or asks for a nomination for a person to 
fill that office. The former method is safer, however. If the 
nomination is asked for, there may be as many nominations pre¬ 
sented as there are persons present, and if more than one is 
nominated, a ballot vote must decide upon the choice of chairman. 

The Chairman of the meeting then taking the Chair, a Record¬ 
ing Secretary is appointed (or elected). This may be appointed 
by the Chair, with the consent of those present, or by nomina¬ 
tion and election as indicated in the choice of the Chairman. If 
the Chair appoints, he says, “With the consent of those present 

the Chair will appoint --- Secretary of this meeting. 

Hearing no objections - will act as Secretary.” 

The Secretary then reads the “Call” for the meeting, being 
the notice which brought them together. The Chair usually opens 
the discussion of the matter by a well prepared statement of the 
reasons which instigated the calling of the meeting. He then 
asks for discussion,—or, what is better, calls upon those in turn 
whose names have been given him by those promoting the meet¬ 
ing. After the matter has thus been well presented, the Chairman 
is justified in opening the meeting to a general discussion of the 
whole matter. 

Care must be taken not to “recognize” cranks, several speci¬ 
mens of which are usually in evidence at a public Mass Meet¬ 
ing. The presiding officer should be a person of influence, of tact 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


67 


and resource, as well as interest in the matter presented. He 
should be able to keep the meeting within the bounds of propriety 
and the discussion within the scope of the Call, He should have 
the courage to handle a “heckler” and to see that the audience 
gets what it wants. 

When in the judgment of the Chair the matter presented has 
been sufficiently canvassed, the resolutions prepared should be 
presented. Knowing who is to present the “regular” resolutions, 
the Chair is thus able to exclude any presented by an opposing 
faction, since the power to “recognize” (select by calling the 
name of one whom the Chair desires to hear) a speaker, is vested 
in the presiding officer only. 

The Chair should allow free debate before putting the question 
upon the adoption of the resolution, which is for the purpose of 
crystallizing the opinion of those present upon the object of the 
meeting. Amendments may be offered and if in regular form and 
seconded, after debate, should be put to vote; if carried the reso¬ 
lutions thus amended (modified) will be voted upon. 

If the object of the meeting be to form public opinion only, 
this usually closes the work of the day. A motion is made that 
the meeting do now adjourn sine die, and if seconded and carried, 
the meeting dissolves forever. 


68 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


THIRTEENTH LESSON 


PERMANENT ORGANIZATION 


If the Mass Meeting, called as set forth in the Twelfth Lesson, 
is for the purpose of planning and forming a permanent organi¬ 
zation, the procedure is as follows: 

The object should be suggested, discussed and crystallized as 
in Lesson Twelve. After the passing of the resolution, declaring 
the intention to be the forming of such a society, the next matter 
taken up is usually the naming of the infant society. 

Upon a motion being presented embodying the name, seconded, 
discussed and “carried,” there follows the matter of the “object” 
for which the new society is created, the scope of the work or 
study which it is to undertake. This object of an organization 
must cover all the activities which are anticipated. While it is 
not necessary that the work done should fill the provisions of 
this declared “object,” the organization should take care that it 
does not restrict its efforts, for nothing may be undertaken which 
is ultra vires—bej^ond the powers—stated in its “object.” 

At this point the matter of the “Constitution” is then in order. 
If the new society is to be chartered, no constitution is needed 
as the charter is its constitution; but if this is not contemplated, 
the constitution must be adopted. 

A Committee on Constitution and By-Laws is usually pro¬ 
posed by motion, seconded and carried. The appointment of such 
committee is usually left to the Chair—the presiding officer. The 
personnel of this comijiittee has no doubt been discussed and 
decided upon by those interested in the calling of the meeting. 
It may well be that this committee, anticipating this action, has 
already drawn up a tentative constitution and can present it after 
a brief absence from the room in consultation. If, however, it is 
deemed best to take more time, the meeting is usually adjourned 
to a set day and hour, at which meeting the committee shall re- 
port. 

Whether it be at this meeting or another, when the committee 
reports the Constitution, the chairman of the committee reads the 
document as prepared by the committee, and “moves the adop- 




Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 69 

tion of the Constitution as read.” This motion being seconded and 
“stated” (repeated) by the Chair, the first Article is again read, 
and the Chair asks if there are any amendments desired. If none 
are forthcoming, the Chair states that the Article as read “stands,” 
and proceeds in like manner with the rest. Article by Article. 
If an amendment (change) is moved upon any of the Articles, 
such amendment is stated, after being seconded, discussed and 
voted upon. The Article as amended, however, is not voted upon 
at this point, the vote being taken “on the Constitution as amended 
(if changes are made)” after all Articles have been read, “passed” 
or “amended.” 

The Constitution should contain only the points of vital inter¬ 
est, such as are designed to be permanent or not readily changed. 
There are six of these Articles which should be covered in the 
Constitution. Article I, Name; Article II, Object; Article III, 
Qualification for Membership; Article IV, Officers and Directors 
(entitling the former and enumerating the latter, but not how 
elected or giving their duties) ; Article V, Meetings (usually the 
time of the Annual Meeting only) ; Article VI, Amendments 
(method by which the Constitution may be amended). 

There are then two methods of procedure. Either is correct. 
There may be given at this point (after adopting the Constitu¬ 
tion) an opportunity for all who desire to join the society to 
sign the Constitution, and those who do not so sign are expected 
to withdraw,—at least they do not take part in the further pro¬ 
ceedings. The “members” are those who pass by-laws, and elect 
the permanent officers by the method laid down in the by-laws 
which they adopt. 

The other method is to proceed to pass the by-laws before 
asking those who desire to join to sign,—and after the Consti¬ 
tution and By-Laws are signed the election of officers and directors 
is conducted accordingly. 

The By-Laws cover such matters as, while not of so funda¬ 
mental a character as those in the Constitution, are yet of such 
importance that they should not be changed without notice of 
intention to the membership. Both Constitution and By-Laws 
should not be amended by a lesser vote than two-thirds of those 
voting,—a quorum, of course, being present. 


70 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


FOURTEENTH LESSON 


CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS 

An organization having a charter from a state or from the 
government of the United States, has no need of a constitution, 
its charter taking the place. When an organization is chartered, 
it must abide by the law governing such corporations and its by¬ 
laws and standing rules must not be inconsistent therewith. 

On the other hand, if the organization has no charter it should 
have a constitution which should cover such points of government 
as should be stable. 

The constitution of a society should cover the following 
points: Name, Object, Membership, Officers, Meetings, Amend¬ 
ments. 


Suggested Form for Constitution and 
By-Laws for a Civic Club 


CONSTITUTION 
ARTICLE I 
Name 

The name of this organization shall be. 

ARTICLE II 
Object 

The object of the organization shall be co-operation in Com¬ 
munity Service, the joy of companionship, and the discipline of 
service. 






Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


71 


ARTICLE III 
Membership 

The qualifications for membership in this organization shall 
be sympathy with the objects of the organization, and a willing¬ 
ness to work toward their accomplishment. 

ARTICLE IV 
Officers 

The officers of this organiaztion shall be: a President, a First 
Vice President, a Second Vice President, a Recording Secretary, 
a Corresponding Secretary, and a Treasurer. These officers and 
five directors shall constitute the Board of Managers. They shall 
be elected at the annual meeting and shall serve one year and 
until their successors are elected and qualified. 

ARTICLE V 

Annual Meeting 

The annual meeting shall be held on the third Tuesday in May 
of each and every year, at such place and hour as shall be deter¬ 
mined by the Board of Directors. 

ARTICLE VI 
Amendments 

This constitution may be amended at any annual meeting or 
adjourned session thereof by a two-thirds vote of members voting, 
a quorum being present. Notice of the proposed amendment shall 
be given in writing with the call to the meeting. 


BY-LAWS 


ARTICLE I 
Membership 

Section 1. Membership in the . 

shall be of three classes: Active, Non-Resident and Honorary. 

Sec. 2. Active members pay full dues and have all the rights 
and privileges of membership. 





72 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

Sec. 3. An applicant for active membership in this club shall 
be endorsed by two members who have personally known the 
candidate for at least two years, upon blank furnished by the 
Corresponding Secretary for that purpose. The application shall 
be considered by the Board of Managers, and a two-thirds vote 
shall elect the candidate to membership. Upon notification of 
such election and the payment of initiation fee and annual dues, 
the candidate shall become a member of the organization. 

Sec. 4. A member who has permanently removed his residence 

from . to a point not less than one 

hundred miles from the city limits, may, upon application to the 
Board of Managers, be transferred to the non-resident list. 

Non-resident members pay half dues of active membership 
and have all the rights of membership except the right to vote, 
hold office and endorse for membership. 

A non-resident member may be reinstated to active member¬ 
ship by payment of full dues, upon the vote of the Board of 
Managers. 

Sec. 5. Honorary Membership may be conferred upon one 
who has rendered distinguished service to humanity, upon recom¬ 
mendation of the Board of Managers and the unanimous vote of 
the club. 

Honorary Members pay no dues, and have all rights and 
privileges except the right to vote, hold office and endorse for 
membership. 

Sec. 6. Resignations from membership in the club shall be 
in writing and sent to the Board of Managers. No member may 
resign until all dues are paid for the current year. 

Sec. 7. A member whose resignation has been accepted, de¬ 
siring to return to membership in the club, may do so without 
initiation fee, upon two-thirds vote of the Board of Managers. 

Sec. 8. A member who has lost his membership through non¬ 
payment of dues or for reasons other than resignation, may be 
admitted to membership only by application and election as a new 
member. 


ARTICLE II 

Duties of Officers and Managers 

Section 1. The Board of Managers, composed of the officers 
and five directors, shall have the management of the detail busi¬ 
ness of the organization. Questions of policy, and the expenditure 
of money other than that voted in the budget shall be left to the 
vote of the club. 



Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 73 


Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at 
all meetings of the club and of the Board of Managers. He shall 
sign all vouchers and documents when ordered by the Board, of 
Managers, and shall have a general oversight of the club business. 
He shall be ex-officio member of all committees, but shall not be 
required to attend meetings unless he desires to do so. 

Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Vice Presidents in their 
order to perform the duties of the President in his absence or 
inability to serve. 

Sec. 4. The Corresponding Secretary shall attend to the cor¬ 
respondence of the club, except the notifying and instructing of 
Special Committees. He shall notify new members, officers and 
directors of election. He shall be the chairman of the Printing 
and Stationery Committee, and the Year Book shall be made up 
under his supervision. 

Sec. 5. The Recording Secretary shall keep the Minutes of 
the Board of Managers and of the Club Meetings in books which 
shall be the property of the club and of access at all reasonable 
times and places. He shall notify and instruct all committees. He 
shall be the custodian of the seal of the organization and affix 
it when ordered by the Board to papers and documents. He shall 
sign with the President all official papers, vouchers, etc., when 
ordered by the Board of Managers. 

Sec. 6. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all the monies 
of the club, received from whatever source. He shall pay out 
monies only upon order of the Club or the Board of Managers, 
on vouchers signed by the President and the Recording Secretary. 
He shall keep full and accurate books of account, containing a 
record of all monies received and expended, which books shall 
be the property of the Club and open to the inspection of the 
authorized officials at all reasonable times and places. 

The Treasurer shall be bonded in such sum as the Board of 
Managers may direct, the cost of such bond to be defrayed by the 
Club. 

The books of fhe Treasurer shall be audited by a Public Ac¬ 
countant at least once a year, the cost of same to be borne by the 
Club. 


ARTICLE III 
Dues 

Section 1. The initiation fee shall be $5, payable upon notifica¬ 
tion of election to membership. 


74 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

Sec. 2. The annual dues for Active Membership shall be $5, 
first payable upon notification of election to membership, and 
thereafter due and payable at the annual meeting. 

Sec. 3. Non-Resident Members shall pay one-half the annual 
dues of Active Members, beginning with the first annual meeting 
after being transferred from Active Membership list. 

Sec. 4. Honorary members shall pay no dues. 

Sec. 5. A member whose dues remain unpaid October 1st 
shall be notified by the Treasurer of his delinquency. If dues are 
not paid by November 1st, the delinquent member shall be dropped 
from the membership of the club and be so notified by the Cor¬ 
responding Secretary. The Board may, however, for good and 
sufficient reasons, extend the time for one month. 

ARTICLE IV 
Meetings 

Section 1. The annual meeting of the organization shall be 
held on the third Tuesday in May of each and every year, at such 
place and hour as the Board of Managers shall elect. It shall be 
called by written notice to each member of the club. 

Sec. 2. Regular meetings of the club shall be held on the 
first and third Tuesday of each and every month except June, 
July, August and September, the last Tuesday in May being the 
annual meeting. For adequate reason the Board may change the 
day of meeting, notice of such change being given at previous 
meeting. Notice of the place of meeting and the hour shall be 
sent to all members before the first Tuesday in October, and that 
date and hour shall be held for all regular meetings throughout 
the year. No further notice than the first shall be sent of such 
meetings. 

Sec. 3. Special meetings of the club may be called by order 
of the President, notice of such meeting to be sent to each mem¬ 
ber at least five days in advance, the object of the meeting to be 
stated in the call and no other business to be transacted. 

Sec. 4. Regular meetings of the Board of Managers shall be 
held once a month except in July and August. The first meet¬ 
ing of the Board shall be held within one week after the annual 
meeting of the club, notice of the time and place to be sent to 
each member. At this meeting the dates and place of meetings 
shall be decided and thereafter no further notice of such regular 
board meetings shall be sent board members. 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


75 


Sec. 5. Special meetings of the Board of Managers may be 
called by order of the President, notice of such meetings to be 
sent at least twenty-four hours in advance, such notice to state 
the object of the meeting and no other business to be transacted. 

ARTICLE V 
Quorums 

Section 1. Twenty-five members shall constitute a quorum 
for the transaction of business at any meeting of the organiza¬ 
tion. 

Sec. 2. Six members of the Board of Managers shall consti¬ 
tute its quorum for the transaction of business. 

ARTICLE VI 
Standing Committees 

Section 1. At the first meeting of the Board of Managers the 
following Standing Committees shall be appointed: 

Program, to consist of seven members. 

Finance, to consist of the Vice-President as chairman and two 
other members. 

House, consisting of three members. 

Social, to consist of seven members. 

Auditing, to consist of three members. 

Sec. 2. The duties of these committees are such as are stated 
in the Standing Rules. 

Sec. 3. All Standing Committees report plans for adoption 
to the Board before undertaking new work, and report work 
accomplished to the Club when requested so to do, with a full 
report at the annual meeting. 

ARTICLE VII 
Nominations and Elections 

Section 1. At its April Meeting the Board of Managers shall 
appoint an elections committee of five members, no one of whom 
shall be a Board member. To this committee shall be entrusted 
all business relating to nominations and elections. 

Sec. 2. At the last meeting of the Club in April, nominations 
shall be made from the floor for the officers and directors for the 
coming year. 

No one shall be nominated whose consent to serve has not 
been first obtained. 

Sec. 3. From these nominations the election committee shall 


76 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 

make up a ticket or tickets, placing the names of the candidates 
in alphabetical order on the ticket, which ticket shall be sent to 
each member with the call for the annual meeting. 

Sec. 4. The election shall take place at the annual meeting. 
If there be but one candidate for any office, the vote may be 
viva voce unless objection is made. If there is more than one 
candidate for any office the vote shall be by ballot. A plurality 
vote shall elect. 

Sec. 5. The Elections Committee shall conduct the election in 
the manner designated in the Standing Rules. 

ARTICLE VIII 
Amendments 

These By-Laws may be amended at any meeting of the organi¬ 
zation by a two-thirds vote, a quorum being present. Members 
are requested to send in to the Revisions Committee desired 
amendments at least one month before action taken, in order that 
all members may be notified of the proposed amendment. 

ARTICLE IX 
Parliamentary Authority 

“Robert’s Rules of Order—Revised” shall be the parliamentary 
authority in all matters not specified in the Constitution, By-Laws 
or standing rules of this organization. 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 77 


FIFTEENTH LESSON 


GENERAL RULES 


Power—How Derived 


All power resides in the organization itself. The Board of 
Managers, the President, the officers, the chairmen of commit¬ 
tees, have no inherent powers which are not specifically delegated 
by the organization either in the by-laws, in standing rules or by 
motion. Therefore unless such express delegation of power is 
found in the records, no powers may be successfully claimed out¬ 
side the organized body itself. 

Debate 

A deliberative body reaches its decisions by vote after consid¬ 
eration. The rule therefore is that motions are debatable. The 
exceptions to this rule are: 

(a) Motions which have for their object the limiting, closing, 

or extending debate. 

(b) Amendments to undebatable motions. 

(c) Privileged motions. 

(d) To lay upon the table or to take from the table. 

(e) To close nominations or the polls. 

(f) To fix the method of voting. 

(g) Leave to withdraw a paper or motion. 

(h) Questions relating to indecorum. 

(i) Call for the orders of the day. 

(j) Suspension of Rules. 

(k) For the reading of papers not under consideration. 

(l) Reconsideration of an undebatable motion. 

(m) Request for permission to speak out of order. 

(n) Questions relating to priority of business. 

(o) No motion may be debated while an undebatable motion 

is pending (unvoted upon). Motions otherwise debat¬ 
able automatically become debatable under these con¬ 
ditions. 




78 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


Vote 

The rule is that unless otherwise specified a majority vote 
carries all questions. The exceptions to this rule are: 

(a) Where the by-laws, standing rule, or motion (carried) 

require that the vote be 

(1) unanimous 

(2) plurality 

(3) three-fourths of those voting 

(4) two-thirds of those voting 

(5) 1/5 or other fraction as in legislative bodies on 
ordering the roll-call. 

(b) All motions which have for their object the limiting, 

closing, or extending of debate (it having been limited). 

(c) All motions which interfere with existing rules. 

(d) To close nominations or polls. 

(e) To suspend or expel a member or depose from office 

where no rule is extant. 

(f) To amend the constitution, by-laws or standing rules 

after they have been adopted. 

Legal Transaction of Business 

An organization cannot transact business which binds the 
organization except at regular meetings or at special meetings 
called for that purpose, a quorum being present. 

At special meetings no other business than that stated in the 
call may be transacted. 

When no quorum is present, the only motions which may be 
made are the motions to adjourn, and the motion which provides 
for an adjourned meeting. 

No business may be transacted which legally binds the organi¬ 
zation or the board of managers which is not called in accordance 
with the by-laws of the organization. If action is taken at an 
irregularly called meeting, it must be ratified at a legal meeting 
later before it becomes binding. 

MINUTES 

The record of the proceedings of a deliberative body is called 
the “minutes” or the “journal.” Unless otherwise ordered by the 
assembly the minutes contain: 

The name of the organization, the kind of the 
meeting (Board or organization, regular, ad¬ 
journed or special), the place where the meeting 
was held, the date and hour, and who was in the 
“chair” (president, vice president or other). If it 


Form 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 79 

be a Board meeting the names of those present is 
recorded; if of the organization the fact that there 
was a quorum present is enough. 

Then follows the record of all parliamentary 
action taken and so much as is necessary to make 
that action intelligible; points of order, parlia¬ 
mentary inquiries, etc. 

The keeper of the minutes is called the Recording 
Secretary or if there be but one secretary she 
bears that title only. The secretary should never 
inject into the record any criticism, favorable or 
otherwise, on anything said or done. The record 
should be in permanent form when presented to 
the assembly for approval or correction, and if 
corrected such correction should be written into 
the record as made by the assembly by unanimous 
consent or upon motion, seconded and carried. 
The minutes are the property of the organization 
taking the action, and open to the members only, 
at suitable times, and in the presence of the secre¬ 
tary. 

The following is a brief form of correctly kept 
minutes: 

Minutes of the regular meeting of the, X. Y. Z. 
club, held in its club house, January 15th, 1929, at 
2 o’clock P. M., the President, Mrs. A., in the 
chair, and a quorum being present. 


The minutes of the last regular meeting of Janu¬ 
ary 8th, 1929, were read and approved as read. 


The Corresponding Secretary reported a letter of 
appreciation from Miss S. for the flowers sent her 
during her recent illness. 




80 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


The Treasurer reported as follows: 


Amount in hand reported last meeting.. 

.$1,425.50 

Receipts: 



Dues . 

.$125.00 


Rentals . 

. 300.00 

425.00 



$1,850.50 

Disbursements: 



Flowers . 

.$ 10.00 


Light . 

. 76.00 


Telephone . 

. 24.00 



$110.00 

110.00 

Balance today .... 


$1,740.50 

The report of the House Committee was 

given by 

its chairman, Mrs. T 

(insert). The report was 

accepted. 




(Then follows further reports from standing com¬ 
mittees with similar action unless the report con¬ 
tains “recommendatoins” in which case the action 
is recorded as follows:) 

The report of the Social Committee was read by 
its chairman, Mrs. B. as follows (here insert). 
The president stated that as the report contained 
a recommendation a motion to adopt was in order. 
Mrs. O. moved to adopt’ the report with its rec- 
commendation. Seconded and stated. 

Upon motion of Mrs. T., seconded by Mrs. F. it 
was voted to amend the recommendation by insert¬ 
ing “if satisfactory arrangements can be made.” 
Report as amended carried. 

(Reports of Standing Committees are read and 
acted upon in similar manner .) 

There being no “unfinished business” pending, the 
Chair called for New Business. 

It was moved by Miss B. and duly seconded, “That 
we hold open house on New Year’s Day for our 
members and friends.” Upon motion of Mrs. Y., 
duly seconded it was voted to refer this to the 
Social Committee for its advice, the committee to 
report at the next meeting. 

There being no further business, by unanimous 
consent the meeting adjourned. 

Mira Ogden, Rec. Secy. 















Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


81 


ILLUSTRATING THE SEQUENCE OF MOTIONS 

All motions in this “flight of stairs” (exclusive of “objection 
to the consideration of the question”) may be pending at one time 
if made in the order of the ascending scale. 

Any steps may be omitted in ascending. 

No backward step may be taken until vote on higher pending 
motion is lost; or, as in the case of an amendment, carried. 

All motions must be made “ascending the steps”; all motions 
made must be voted on in “descending the steps.” 

2nd Amendment | 

1st Amendment | 

To Fix Time & Place I 
to Which to Adjourn | 

To Adjourn ( 

Second Amendment _| 

First Amendment_ | 

To Take a Recess_[ 

Second Amendment_ | 

First Amendment _ | 

Question of General Privilege_[ 

Second Amendment_ 

First Amendment_ 

Question of Personal Privilege _ | 

To Lay the Matter Upon the Table_[ 

Second Amendment _ | 

First Amendment_^ _ 1 

To Postpone to a Definite Time _1 

Second Amendment_ ( 

First Amendment_ | 

To Go Into a Committee of the Whole_| 

Second Amendment_| 

First Amendment_ | 

To Refer to a Standing Committee_| 

Second Amendment _| 

First Amendment to Motion to commit_[ 

To Refer to a Special Committee_| 

Second Amendment _| 

Objection to Consideration or Indefinite Postponement or First Amendment | 
Main Motion 


I 































82 Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Adjourn .43-44 

To Fix Time and Place to which td Adjourn.44-45 

Amendment—(First) to Main Motion. 11-12 

Amendment—(Second) to First Amendment.13-14 

Appeal—From Decision of the Chair.47-48-49 

Business—Introduction of. 6 

Business—Legal Transaction of.78 . 

By-Laws—Form for.70-71-72-73-74-75-76 

“Membership” .69-71-72 

“Duties of Officers and Directors”.72-73 

“Dues” .73-74 

“Meetings” .5-74-75 

“Quorums” .75 

“Standing Committees” .75 

“Nominations and Elections”.75-76 

“Amendments to By-Laws”.76 

“Parliamentary Authority”.76 

Call for the Orders of the Day.39-40 

Committees— 

Special.20 

Standing .20 

Of the Whole.20-21-27-28-29 

Notification and Instruction of.22 

Organization of .22-23 

Rules for .23-24 

Report of .24-25 

Minority Report of.25 

Give Power to Act.25 

Incorporate Report in Minutes.25 

How Appointed .21 

Chairman of, How Appointed.21 































Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


83 


PAGE 

Constitution—Form of.70 

Debate— 

Limit .50 

Close at Specified Time.53 

Limit Time for Each Speaker.54 

Extend—Having Been Closed by Vote.54-55 

Motions Undebatable .77 

Declinatory Motions .34 

Expunge from Minutes .56-57 

Gavel—Use of . 5 

Mass Meeting .65-66-67 

Membership—Qualifications for .71 

Minutes— 

Approval of . 5 

Correction of . 6 

Form of .78-79-80 

Motions— 

Main .6-7 

Illustrating Sequence of .81 

Objection to Consideration.34-35-36 

Order—Call to . 5 

Point of .46-47 

Orders of the Day.38-39-40 

Organization .65 

Mass Meeting .65-66-67 

Permanent .68-69 

Constitution of .70-71 

Papers—Reading of : 

Those Under Consideration.58-59 

Those not Under Consideration .58-59 

Point of Order.46-47 

Postpone— 

To a Definite Time.30-31 

Indefinitely .36-37 































84 


Practical Lessons in Parliamentary Procedure 


PAGE 

Previous Question—Call for .50-51-52 

Privileged Motions .38 

Privilege—Questions of: 

Personal .40 

General .41 

Quorums . 5 

No Quorum Present.43 

Lost .43 

(Section in By-Laws).75 

Ratify Action .57-58 

Re-Commit—To Committee.59-60 

Reconsider the Vote.15-16 

Recess—To Take.42 

Recognition by Chair. 7 

Rescind Action.17-18 

Rise—Motion to.60-61 

Rules—General .77-78 

Special Order of Business—To Make a.61-65 

Substitute Motion .11-12 

Suspend Rules .62-63 

Table— 

To Lay Upon the.32-33 

To Take From the.63-64 

V ote— 

Methods of Taking the.7-8-9-10 

Motions Requiring Two-thirds.78 

Withdrawing a Motion.64 

































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